Hadith #2362

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he speaks about the concept of "ihsan" or excellence in treating others. The word "ihsan" comes from the root word "ahsana," which means to do good or to excel in something. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that he has the freedom to choose how he treats those who have not been kind to him, but he is obligated to complete his acts of kindness towards those who have been kind to him.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 195:

And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of doing good deeds and treating others with kindness. It is a command from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to excel in our actions and to show kindness to others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 8, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse highlights the importance of treating others with justice and fairness, even if they do not share the same beliefs or values as us. It is a reminder that our actions should be guided by righteousness and justice, regardless of the circumstances.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exemplifies this concept of ihsan through his own actions and teachings. He was known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, and he always strived to treat others with kindness and fairness, regardless of their treatment towards him. He understood that by completing acts of kindness, he would preserve the goodness within himself and strengthen his relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

On the other hand, if he were to cut off his acts of kindness, he would lose the opportunity to cultivate goodness within himself. This highlights the importance of consistency in our actions and the need to continuously strive for excellence in our treatment of others. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) questions the purpose of embarking on acts of kindness if he were to abandon them, emphasizing the need for sincerity and commitment in our actions.

As Muslims, we are called to follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive for excellence in our treatment of others. We should aim to complete acts of kindness and preserve the goodness within ourselves. By doing so, we not only strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but we also contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate society.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of ihsan, or excellence in treating others. It urges us to complete acts of kindness and preserve the goodness within ourselves, while questioning the purpose of embarking on acts of kindness if we were to abandon them. Let us strive to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and embody the spirit of ihsan in our interactions with others, for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) loves those who excel in their actions and treat others with kindness and justice.