Hadith #9382

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights two important concepts: the honor of a vile person leading to humiliation, and the deviation of the intellect being the worst form of deviation. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The word (izzu) "عِزُّ" in the Hadith refers to honor, dignity, and respect. It is a state of being esteemed and revered. On the other hand, (lai'm) "اللَّئيمِ" denotes a vile person, someone who is morally corrupt and devoid of noble qualities. The Hadith states that the honor of such an individual leads to humiliation. This implies that when a person lacking in integrity or righteousness is given undue honor or respect, it ultimately results in their downfall and disgrace.

The Quran supports this concept in several verses. In Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), 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.

Here, Allah emphasizes that true honor and exaltedness are reserved for those who are righteous and do not engage in corruption or immorality. Thus, the honor of a vile person is temporary and will ultimately lead to their humiliation.

The second part of the Hadith focuses on the deviation of the intellect, which is described as the worst form of deviation. (dalaalul 'aql) "ضَلالُ العَقْلِ" refers to the deviation or straying of the intellect. It signifies a departure from the path of truth and righteousness, leading to confusion and misguidance. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the severity of this deviation, emphasizing that it is the worst form of deviation.

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of intellect and guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:170), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when it is said to them, 'Follow what Allah has revealed,' they say, 'Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers.' Even if Satan was inviting them to the punishment of the Blaze?

This verse highlights the importance of using our intellect to discern between right and wrong, rather than blindly following the traditions of our forefathers. Deviating from the path of truth due to a lack of intellectual reasoning can lead to severe consequences.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to uphold their integrity and righteousness, and to use their intellect to seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It warns against blindly following the opinions and actions of those who lack moral character or intellectual reasoning. By doing so, we can avoid humiliation and the worst form of deviation, and instead strive for true honor and guidance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of honoring a vile person and the severity of intellectual deviation. It reminds us to uphold our integrity, seek guidance from the Quran, and use our intellect to discern between right and wrong. By doing so, we can avoid humiliation and the worst form of deviation, and instead strive for true honor and guidance in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us all on the straight path and protect us from deviation.