Hadith #5165

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully describes the nature of honor and its effect on individuals. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its deeper meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (dhū al-sharaf) "ذُوالشَّرَفِ", which translates to "the honorable person." This refers to an individual who possesses a high status, dignity, and noble character. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that such a person is not made reckless or arrogant by the status he attains. This implies that true honor lies in humility and the ability to maintain composure and righteousness regardless of one's position or achievements.

To support this concept, we find a beautiful verse in the Quran in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 that true honor and nobility are not based on worldly status or lineage, but rather on righteousness and piety.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further illustrates this point by comparing the honorable person to a mountain that is not shaken by the strongest winds. Just as a mountain stands firm and unwavering, the honorable person remains steadfast in their principles and values, regardless of the challenges they face. This highlights the importance of inner strength and resilience in maintaining one's honor.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the believers as being firm and unyielding in their faith, just like a mountain. In Surah Ibrahim (14:24-25), Allah says,

Have you not seen how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky? It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded. And the example of a bad word is like a bad tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, not having any stability.

The second part of the Hadith focuses on the lowly person, who is made careless by the most inferior position. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) compares this person to grass that is easily moved by the passing breeze. This highlights the vulnerability and lack of stability that comes with a lowly position. The grass represents a person who lacks self-confidence and is easily influenced by external factors.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the dangers of being swayed by the opinions and actions of others. In Surah Al-Furqan (25:43), Allah says,

Have you seen the one whose god is his own desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and guidance from Allah, rather than being influenced by our own desires or the opinions of others. It reminds us that true honor lies in following the path of righteousness, regardless of our social status or circumstances.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us valuable lessons about honor, humility, and steadfastness. It reminds us that true honor is not determined by worldly status, but rather by righteousness and piety. It encourages us to remain firm in our principles and values, regardless of the challenges we face. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to embody these teachings and strive for true honor in all aspects of our lives.