Hadith #1796

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to be generous for the sake of Allah and to strive against our own selves in obedience to Him. Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (joodoo) "جُودُوا" in Arabic, translated as "be generous," encompasses the act of giving and bestowing upon others without expecting anything in return. It is an act of selflessness and kindness that is highly regarded in Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages us to be generous in numerous verses of the Quran. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (2:245)

Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?

This verse emphasizes the concept of giving for the sake of Allah, knowing that He will multiply the reward manifold.

The word (jahidoo) "جاهِدُوا", translated as "struggle," refers to the effort and striving that one puts forth in order to overcome their own desires and inclinations. It is a call to engage in self-discipline and self-control for the sake of Allah. The concept of jihad, which is often misunderstood, is not limited to physical warfare but encompasses all forms of striving in the path of Allah. Allah says in Surah Al-Hajj, (22:78)

And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him

This verse highlights the importance of exerting effort and struggling against our own selves in order to attain closeness to Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that by being generous and striving in obedience to Allah, He will magnify our reward and increase His favor upon us. This means that when we give for the sake of Allah and strive to overcome our own desires, Allah will bless us with abundant rewards and blessings in this life and the hereafter. Allah promises in Surah Al-Hadid, (57:20)

And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion?

This verse reminds us that the true reward lies in the hereafter, and by being generous and striving in obedience to Allah, we are investing in our eternal life.

The consequences of following the advice of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith are profound. By being generous, we not only benefit others but also purify our own souls and increase our love for Allah. By struggling against our own selves, we develop self-discipline and strengthen our relationship with Allah. This leads to a virtuous cycle where our acts of generosity and obedience to Allah become a source of spiritual growth and increased blessings from Him.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see the importance of selflessness and self-discipline in our journey towards attaining the pleasure of Allah. By being generous and striving in obedience to Him, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the betterment of society. Let us strive to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and follow his example of knowledge, wisdom, and righteousness. May Allah grant us the ability to be generous and strive in His obedience, and may He magnify our reward and increase His favor upon us.