Hadith #2204

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "لاجَمالَ كَالْحَسَبِ۔" This can be translated as,

There is no beauty like high regard.

In this thought-provoking saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance and value of having a good reputation and being held in high esteem.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (beauty) "جَمالَ" refers to the quality of being pleasing and attractive. It encompasses both physical beauty and inner beauty. The word (high regard) "حَسَبِ" refers to the reputation, honor, and esteem that one enjoys among others. It signifies the perception and opinion that people hold about an individual.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of maintaining a good reputation and being held in high regard. In Surah Al-Qalam, Allah says, (Quran 68:7-16)

Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided. So do not obey the deniers. They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you]. And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer. [And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip - A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful, Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender. Because he is a possessor of wealth and children, When Our verses are recited to him, he says, 'Legends of the former peoples.' We will brand him upon the snout.

This Quranic verse highlights the consequences of having a bad reputation and being held in low regard. Those who engage in spreading falsehoods, engaging in malicious gossip, and rejecting the truth are condemned by Allah. Their actions not only harm their own souls but also hinder the spread of goodness and righteousness in society.

Conversely, those who are known for their integrity, honesty, and righteousness are praised in the Quran. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah says, (Quran 28:15-22)

And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, 'This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy.' He said, 'My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me,' and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. He said, 'My Lord, for the favor You bestowed upon me, I will never be an assistant to the criminals.' And he became inside the city fearful and anticipating [exposure], when suddenly the one who sought his help the previous day cried out to him [once again]. Moses said to him, 'Indeed, you are an evident, [persistent] deviator.' And when he wanted to strike the one who was an enemy to both of them, he said, 'O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed someone yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land and do not want to be of the amenders.' And a man came from the farthest end of the city, running. He said, 'O Moses, indeed the eminent ones are conferring over you [intending] to kill you, so leave [the city]; indeed, I am to you of the sincere advisors.' So he left it, fearful and anticipating [apprehension]. He said, 'My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people.' And when he directed himself toward Madyan, he said, 'Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the sound way.'

In this story of Prophet Moses (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we see the importance of maintaining a good reputation. Despite unintentionally causing harm to someone, Prophet Moses (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) immediately sought forgiveness from Allah and acknowledged his mistake. His sincerity and remorse were evident, and Allah forgave him. Moreover, when he was in need of assistance, a man from the city came to his aid because of his reputation as a sincere and trustworthy individual.

Similarly, in our daily lives, having a good reputation and being held in high regard can have profound effects. It opens doors of opportunity, fosters trust and respect, and enables us to positively influence others. People are naturally drawn to those who possess qualities such as honesty, integrity, kindness, and wisdom. By embodying these virtues, we not only enhance our own character but also inspire others to strive for excellence.

Furthermore, being held in high regard is not limited to one's interactions with others. It also reflects the state of one's heart and soul. When we strive to please Allah and follow His guidance, our actions and intentions align with righteousness. This sincerity and devotion elevate our status in the eyes of Allah and grant us a beauty that surpasses any physical attractiveness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of having a good reputation and being held in high regard. This concept is supported by various Quranic verses that highlight the consequences of having a bad reputation and the rewards of embodying virtues such as honesty, integrity, and righteousness. By striving to maintain a good reputation and seeking the pleasure of Allah, we can enhance our own character, positively influence others, and ultimately attain a beauty that transcends the physical realm. May Allah grant us the wisdom and guidance to embody these virtues and be held in high regard.