Hadith #6767

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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,

كُلُّ عِزّ لايُؤَيِّدُهُ دينٌ مَذَلَّةٌ۔

This profound statement can be translated as,

Every glory that is not endorsed by religion is a humiliation.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (izz) "عِزّ" in this Hadith refers to honor, dignity, and glory. It signifies a state of being respected and revered. The word (deen) "دين" refers to religion, which encompasses the comprehensive way of life prescribed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It includes beliefs, practices, ethics, and values that guide a person's conduct. Lastly, the word (mazallah) "مَذَلَّة" means humiliation, disgrace, or degradation.

This Hadith emphasizes that any glory or honor that is not supported by religion is ultimately a source of humiliation. In other words, true honor and dignity can only be attained through adherence to the principles and teachings of Islam. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of righteousness and piety.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

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 highlights that true nobility and honor are not based on one's lineage, wealth, or worldly achievements, but rather on their righteousness and piety. It is the level of devotion to Allah and adherence to His commandments that determines one's true worth and honor.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:70), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.

This verse reminds us that Allah has bestowed honor upon humanity by granting them intellect, providing sustenance, and elevating them above many of His other creations. However, this honor is not absolute or independent of one's relationship with Allah. It is contingent upon fulfilling the purpose of creation, which is to worship and obey Him. Neglecting this purpose leads to a loss of honor and a state of humiliation.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that true honor lies in aligning our actions and aspirations with the teachings of Islam. It cautions against seeking glory through worldly means that contradict the principles of our faith. Pursuing wealth, power, or fame without considering the moral and ethical implications can lead to a loss of dignity and self-respect.

For example, if someone attains wealth through dishonest means, their material success may be short-lived and ultimately bring them disgrace and humiliation. On the other hand, if someone upholds honesty, integrity, and compassion in their pursuit of success, their achievements will be accompanied by a sense of honor and fulfillment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true glory and honor can only be attained through the endorsement of religion. It emphasizes the importance of aligning our actions and aspirations with the teachings of Islam, as outlined in the Quran. By seeking righteousness and piety, we can attain a genuine sense of dignity and honor in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us all to the path of true honor and protect us from the path of humiliation.