Hadith #7587

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "لايَتَعَلَّمُ مَنْ يَتَكَبَّرُ۔" This Hadith can be translated as,

One who is haughty does not learn.

Let us delve into the connotation of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (takabbar) "تَكَبَّرُ" in this Hadith refers to arrogance or pride. It is the act of considering oneself superior to others and looking down upon them. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the detrimental effect of arrogance on the process of learning. Arrogance blinds a person and prevents them from acquiring knowledge and wisdom.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against arrogance and its negative consequences. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:146), Allah says,

I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it.

This verse emphasizes that arrogance hinders a person's ability to recognize and accept the signs of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), Allah states,

Indeed, you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah alone. Arrogance leads a person to believe that they possess all knowledge and understanding, thereby closing themselves off from the guidance of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement holds great wisdom. When a person is filled with arrogance, they become complacent and believe they have nothing left to learn. They are unwilling to listen to others, dismiss alternative viewpoints, and close themselves off to new ideas and knowledge. This attitude hinders personal growth and intellectual development.

On the other hand, humility is a key characteristic of a true seeker of knowledge. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah says,

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes the importance of knowing and understanding one another. Humility allows us to learn from others, appreciate their perspectives, and grow in knowledge and understanding.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom. He was a humble servant of Allah, always seeking to learn and grow. His humility allowed him to acquire a deep understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By highlighting the negative impact of arrogance on learning, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of humility in our pursuit of knowledge.

As Muslims, we should strive to embody the qualities of humility and open-mindedness in our quest for knowledge. We should recognize that true knowledge comes from Allah and remain humble in our interactions with others. By doing so, we can continue to learn, grow, and benefit from the wisdom and guidance of the Quran and the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble progeny. May Allah guide us all on the path of knowledge and wisdom.