Avoiding Insincere Praise
📖Sahih Muslim 3000 a
‘Abd al-Rahman b. Abu Bakra reported on the authority of his father that a person praised another person in the presence of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ, whereupon he said: “Woe be to you! You have broken your brother’s neck, you have broken your brother’s neck.” He said this twice. Then the Prophet ﷺ added: “If one of you must praise his brother, then say: ‘I think him to be so-and-so, and Allah is his Reckoner. I do not claim anyone to be pure before Allah, but he appears to be so-and-so—if you know him to be such.’”
Explanation:
This hadith teaches moderation in praise. Excessive praise in front of someone can lead to arrogance or give them a false sense of righteousness. It may also put pressure on a person to live up to an image that may not reflect their inner reality.
The Prophet ﷺ warned that such praise can be like “breaking someone’s neck”- meaning it can spiritually harm them by encouraging pride or hypocrisy.
What to Say Instead:
Islam encourages humility. If someone must praise another, they should:
- Use humble language: “I think he/she is good…”
- Acknowledge that only Allah knows the heart and the true end of a person.
- Avoid testifying to someone’s purity as if one knows their inner state.
This is a balanced and respectful approach that avoids exaggeration and leaves judgment to Allah.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 53:32
So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
This verse supports the idea that only Allah knows the reality of people. We should avoid declaring others as pure or righteous without knowledge.
📖Quran 4:49
Have you not seen those who claim themselves to be pure? Rather, Allah purifies whom He wills, and they will not be wronged [even] as much as a thread.
Conclusion:
This hadith is a reminder to avoid blind admiration or flattery. Praise should be sincere, cautious, and always done with the awareness that Allah knows best. Overpraising someone publicly may not only harm them but also show arrogance in assuming we know their inner state. Islam teaches truth with humility — both in criticism and praise.