Hadith #3039

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns the Muslims against two destructive traits: bigotry and ignorance. The Imam addresses the believers with urgency, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and avoiding these harmful characteristics. Let us delve into the exegesis of this hadith, drawing upon the guidance of the Quran to gain a deeper understanding.

The word "kibr" in Arabic refers to arrogance or pride. It is a state of inflated self-importance and superiority over others. The Imam warns against feeling proud of one's bigotry, which refers to a narrow-minded and intolerant mindset. It is a mindset that holds one's own beliefs, opinions, or traditions as superior to others, leading to a sense of entitlement and superiority. This attitude is detrimental to the unity and harmony of the Muslim community.

To support this exegesis, we turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly condemns arrogance and pride. In Surah Al-Isra (17:37), Allah says,

And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.

This verse reminds us that no matter how much we may achieve or possess, we should never let it lead us to arrogance or a false sense of superiority.

Furthermore, the Imam warns against boasting over one's ignorance. Ignorance here refers to a lack of knowledge, understanding, or insight. It is a state of being uninformed or misinformed, leading to misguided beliefs and actions. Boasting over one's ignorance is a dangerous attitude as it hinders personal growth and prevents the acquisition of true knowledge.

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and warns against ignorance. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse highlights the significance of verifying information and avoiding hasty judgments based on ignorance.

The Imam describes these traits as the "fertilizers of enmity" and the "bellows of Satan." Enmity refers to hostility, animosity, and ill-will towards others. Bigotry and ignorance are like fertilizers that nourish and cultivate this enmity, leading to divisions and conflicts within the Muslim community. They create an environment where differences are not respected, and unity is compromised.

The reference to Satan as the bellows indicates that these traits are tools used by Satan to ignite discord and create divisions among Muslims. Satan exploits the arrogance and ignorance of individuals to sow the seeds of hatred and enmity. It is crucial for Muslims to be aware of these tactics and strive to resist them by cultivating humility and seeking knowledge.

Reflecting on this hadith, we are reminded of the importance of humility, open-mindedness, and the pursuit of knowledge. We should strive to overcome our own biases and prejudices, recognizing that true knowledge and understanding come from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. By doing so, we can foster unity, harmony, and love within the Muslim community, and protect ourselves from the divisive forces of bigotry and ignorance.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of knowledge, humility, and unity, and protect us from the destructive traits of arrogance and ignorance. Ameen.