Hadith #2344

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.

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

الجزاءُ عَلَى الإحْسانِ بِالإسائَةِ كُفْرانٌ۔

This can be translated as,

Rewarding good with evil is [the highest form of] ingratitude.

This enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encapsulates the concept of gratitude and the importance of reciprocating kindness with kindness.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words used. The word (al-jazā'u) "الجزاءُ" refers to recompense or reward. It signifies the consequences or outcome of an action. (al-ihsān) "الإحْسانِ" means goodness, kindness, or acts of benevolence. (al-issāh) "الإسائَةِ" refers to evil, harm, or wrongdoing. Lastly, (kufrān) "كُفْرانٌ" denotes ingratitude or disbelief.

In order to understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of gratitude and the consequences of ingratitude in several verses. One such verse is found in Surah Ibrahim (14:7), where Allah says,

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'

This verse highlights the reciprocal nature of gratitude. When we express gratitude to Allah and to others, we open ourselves up to receiving even more blessings and favors. Conversely, ingratitude leads to severe consequences. By rewarding good with evil, we are essentially denying the kindness and favors bestowed upon us, which is a form of ingratitude and disbelief.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of ingratitude is found in Surah An-Nahl (16:18), where Allah says,

And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse reminds us of the countless blessings and favors that Allah has bestowed upon us. It is our duty to recognize and appreciate these blessings, and to reciprocate with kindness and gratitude.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of gratitude and the consequences of ingratitude. When someone does us a favor or shows us kindness, it is our duty to respond in kind. By repaying good with evil, we not only display ingratitude but also perpetuate a cycle of negativity and harm.

Moreover, this Hadith encourages us to reflect on our own actions and intentions. Are we truly grateful for the blessings we have received? Do we reciprocate kindness with kindness, or do we allow our ego and pride to cloud our judgment? Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true gratitude lies in recognizing and appreciating the goodness in others, and responding with kindness and compassion.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of gratitude and the consequences of ingratitude. It urges us to reciprocate kindness with kindness, and to avoid repaying good with evil. By doing so, we not only fulfill our duty towards Allah and His creation, but also cultivate a society based on compassion, empathy, and gratitude. May Allah guide us all to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the ability to express gratitude in all aspects of our lives.