Hadith #2393

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

رَأْسُ الفَضائِلِ اِصْطِناعُ الأفاضِلِ

which translates to

The pinnacle of excellence is doing good to the virtuous.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (ra's) "رَأْسُ" refers to the pinnacle or the highest point, indicating the utmost level of something. (al-fada'il) "الفَضائِلِ" means excellence or virtues. (istina'u) "اِصْطِناعُ" means to produce or create. And (al-afadil) "الأفاضِلِ" refers to the virtuous or the righteous individuals.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177:

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or the West, but righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes that true righteousness lies not in mere rituals or outward displays, but in sincere belief in Allah and His guidance, coupled with righteous actions. It highlights the importance of giving to those in need, fulfilling promises, and remaining patient during challenging times. These actions reflect the essence of doing good to the virtuous.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 2, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

This verse encourages Muslims to cooperate in acts of righteousness and piety. It emphasizes the importance of working together to promote goodness and virtue. By doing so, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

Now, let us reflect on the essence of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The pinnacle of excellence lies in actively creating and producing virtuous individuals. It is not enough to simply possess virtues ourselves; we must strive to inspire and uplift others towards righteousness. This can be achieved through various means such as teaching, guiding, and setting positive examples.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom. He not only possessed virtues himself but also actively worked towards nurturing and developing virtuous individuals within the Muslim community. His teachings and actions continue to inspire Muslims to this day.

By doing good to the virtuous, we not only uplift others but also strengthen our own character and faith. It is a continuous cycle of growth and development. When we support and encourage others in their pursuit of righteousness, we contribute to the betterment of society and fulfill our duty as Muslims.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of actively creating and producing virtuous individuals. It is not enough to possess virtues ourselves; we must strive to inspire and uplift others towards righteousness. By doing so, we contribute to the betterment of society and fulfill our duty as Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and enable us to do good to the virtuous.