How to Get Free from Haughtiness
We can learn lessons from Imam Ali (AS) about this in different parts of Nahj al-Balagha.
Imam Ali’s (AS) principles of life were, in all aspects, based on the Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In his social life, he also acted based on the Divine orders and Nabawi Seerah, which can be considered as a perfect example for everyone.
Bakhshali Ghanbari, a Nahj al-Balagha researcher, discussed “social morality based on Nahj al-Balagha” in a series of lectures. Here are excerpts from the 14th session on “Getting free from haughtiness”:
Imam Ali (AS) in Nahj al-Balagha teaches us ways for getting free from haughtiness. What should we do to achieve this? Imam Ali (AS) points to some ways such as going to cemetery, thinking about one’s weaknesses, reading the story of those who were haughty and think about what happened to them.
Imam (AS) cites the story of Satan and his haughtiness as an instructive lesson.
The Commander of the Faithful (AS) says what ending Satan brought to himself as a result of arrogance and boasting to Adam (AS).
So one way of getting free from haughtiness is reading the story of the history’s arrogant, including those of Satan, kings and oppressors.
That is why Imam Ali (AS) says in Letter 31 of Nahj al-Balagha: My Son Hassan! I have not live a long life but because I have read history, I have learned a lot of lessons from it. One story the Quran urges us to read and take lessons from is that of Satan’s haughtiness.
Then Imam Ali (AS) says that the ending of Satan was banishment.
Had God wanted, He would have created Adam from light, but He did not do it. He created man from clay so as to pave the way for testing him and so that he recognizes virtues and vices and move toward them with his own free will.
Imam Ali (AS) also points to the fact that the holy city of Mecca and the house of God (Ka’aba) is in the middle of a desert not in a verdant area but He did not do this so that when you (pilgrims) enter Mecca, you would first realize your want and neediness and thus be humble toward people.
So Imam Ali (AS) points out two ways for getting free from haughtiness: One is reading the story of Satan and the other is thinking about the fact the house of God in Mecca is in the middle of a barren desert.
