Hadith #6498

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

When you wish your merits to be glorified among the people, then do not glorify yourself.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of humility and modesty in our actions and interactions with others. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith and its implications in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (ta'zum) "تَعْظُمْ", which means to glorify or magnify. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to glorify ourselves in our own eyes when we seek recognition and praise from others. This means that we should not become arrogant or boastful about our own accomplishments, but rather remain humble and grounded.

The Quran supports this teaching of humility and warns against arrogance in numerous verses. 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.

This verse reminds us not to belittle or mock others, as we do not know their true worth in the sight of Allah. Similarly, when we seek recognition and praise from others, we should not undermine the worth of others by glorifying ourselves. Instead, we should treat others with respect and dignity, recognizing their merits and accomplishments.

Another verse that supports the teachings of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), where 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 highlights the importance of not desiring exaltedness or seeking to elevate ourselves above others in this worldly life. The true reward and honor lie in the Hereafter, and those who strive for righteousness and humility will be granted the best outcome.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith is a reminder for us to focus on our actions and intentions rather than seeking validation from others. When we perform good deeds solely for the sake of Allah, without seeking recognition or praise, our merits become truly valuable in the sight of Allah. This humility and sincerity in our actions will earn us the pleasure of Allah and the respect of others.

Moreover, when we refrain from glorifying ourselves, we create an environment of unity and harmony among Muslims. By recognizing and appreciating the merits of others, we foster a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood within the Ummah. This strengthens our community and allows us to collectively strive for righteousness and success.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for us to remain humble and modest in our actions and interactions with others. We should not seek to glorify ourselves, but rather focus on pleasing Allah and performing good deeds sincerely. By doing so, we not only earn the pleasure of Allah but also foster unity and harmony within the Muslim community. May Allah guide us all to embody the teachings of this Hadith and grant us humility and sincerity in all aspects of our lives.