Hadith #9046

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "لاثَناءَ مَعَ كِبْر۔" which translates to

There is no praise with arrogance.

This concise statement holds profound wisdom and guidance for Muslims in understanding the importance of humility and sincerity in our actions and intentions.

To fully comprehend the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. (la) "لا" signifies negation, indicating the absence or prohibition of something. (thana) "ثناء" refers to praise or commendation, while (ma'a) "مع" means "with" or "alongside." Lastly, (kibr) "كِبْر" denotes arrogance or pride.

The Quran emphasizes the virtue of humility and warns against the destructive nature of arrogance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of refraining from arrogance and belittling others. It reminds us that superiority lies not in wealth, lineage, or appearance, but in piety and good deeds. By praising others and recognizing their virtues, we foster unity and mutual respect within the Muslim community.

Furthermore, the Quran warns against the consequences of arrogance. In Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

This verse reminds us that true success lies in seeking the rewards of the Hereafter rather than seeking worldly fame and power. Arrogance blinds individuals to their own faults and prevents them from seeking repentance and guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement,

There is no praise with arrogance,

serves as a reminder that any praise we receive or give should be accompanied by humility and gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we attribute our achievements solely to our own abilities, we fall into the trap of arrogance and fail to acknowledge the blessings and guidance bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This Hadith encourages us to adopt a humble and modest attitude in all aspects of our lives. Whether it is in our relationships, our worship, or our interactions with others, we should strive to be humble and sincere. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble family.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

There is no praise with arrogance,

serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to cultivate humility and sincerity in our actions and intentions. It teaches us to recognize the importance of attributing our successes to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to avoid falling into the trap of arrogance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to embody the qualities of humility and sincerity in our lives.