Hadith #2565

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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لايَنْفَعُ الحُسْنُ بِغَيْرِ نَجابَة۔

This can be translated as,

Physical beauty is of no benefit without nobility.

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

The word (husn) "حُسْنُ" refers to physical beauty or attractiveness. It encompasses the external appearance and features that are pleasing to the eye. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that this physical beauty alone is of no benefit without (najabah) "نَجابَة", which can be translated as nobility, dignity, or moral excellence.

This Hadith reminds us that true beauty lies not only in the external appearance but also in the inner qualities and character of an individual. The Quran supports this notion in several verses. For instance, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), 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 highlights that true nobility is not based on one's physical appearance or lineage, but rather on righteousness and piety. It is the inner beauty of a person's character, their moral excellence, and their adherence to the teachings of Islam that truly make them noble in the sight of Allah.

Another verse that supports the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse emphasizes the importance of using the blessings and beauty bestowed upon us by Allah for the betterment of ourselves and society. It reminds us that physical beauty alone is not enough, but rather it should be accompanied by noble actions and intentions. True beauty lies in using our blessings to do good, to strive for righteousness, and to avoid corruption.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that while physical beauty may be pleasing to the eye, it is the inner qualities and character that truly matter in the sight of Allah. It encourages us to prioritize moral excellence, righteousness, and noble actions over mere external appearances.

By focusing on developing our inner beauty, we can cultivate a strong and virtuous character that reflects the teachings of Islam. This, in turn, will lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life, as well as earn the pleasure and reward of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that physical beauty is of no benefit without nobility. It reminds us to prioritize inner qualities and character over external appearances. By doing so, we can strive for righteousness, moral excellence, and earn the true beauty that is pleasing to Allah. May Allah guide us all to embody true beauty and nobility in our lives.