The Most Despicable Person in the Eyes of Allah

Sahih Muslim 2668
‘A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The most despicable amongst persons in the eye of Allah is one who tries to fall into dispute with others (for nothing but only to display his knowledge and power of argumentation).

• This hadith emphasizes the importance of avoiding unnecessary arguments and disputes. It states that the person who tries to argue with others solely to show off their knowledge or to prove their point, without any genuine intention of seeking the truth or resolving the issue, is considered despicable in the sight of Allah. In Islam, seeking knowledge and using it to benefit oneself and others is highly encouraged. However, when knowledge is used to fuel one’s ego or to belittle others, it goes against the very essence of Islamic teachings. Therefore, this hadith teaches Muslims to use their knowledge and wisdom in a humble and respectful manner, avoiding arguments and disputes that are rooted in arrogance or self-righteousness.

Qur’anic References:

• Surah Ghafir (40:56):
  “Indeed, those who dispute concerning the signs of Allah without any authority having come to them—there is nothing in their hearts except pride, which they will never be able to attain. So seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Seeing.”

This verse directly links pride to unnecessary argumentation, showing that those who debate without sincere reasons are often driven by arrogance.

• Surah Al-Kahf (18:104-105):
  “Those whose efforts are lost in worldly life, while they think they are doing good work. They are the ones who deny the signs of their Lord and the meeting with Him, so their deeds have become worthless, and We will not assign to them any weight on the Day of Resurrection.”

This verse reflects the self-deception of those who argue arrogantly, believing they are in the right while actually wasting their efforts.

Islamic Teaching:

1. Pride in argumentation leads to spiritual downfall.
2. Seeking truth with humility is encouraged; arguing for ego is condemned.
3. Allah warns against disputing without sincere knowledge.

This hadith and the Qur’anic verses together emphasize that true wisdom is in humility, not in proving superiority through argumentation.