Hadith #9210

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 family, his noble companions, and all the righteous Muslims until the Day of Judgment.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

The pleasure of the noble-minded people is in feeding [others] whereas the pleasure of the wicked people is in eating [themselves].

This wise utterance highlights the stark contrast between the mindset of noble individuals and the mindset of those who are wicked.

Let us begin by examining the key words in this Hadith. The word (ladhdhatu) "لَذَّةُ" refers to pleasure or delight. (alkiram) "الكِرامِ" refers to noble-minded people, those who possess high moral character and generosity. On the other hand, (alliam) "اللِّئامِ" refers to the wicked people, those who are morally corrupt and selfish. Finally, (al-itaam) "الإطْعامِ" means feeding or providing food, while (attaam) "الطَّعامِ" means eating or consuming food.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of feeding others and the virtues associated with it. In Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9), Allah says,

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'

This verse highlights the selflessness and sincerity of those who feed others. They do not seek any reward or gratitude from the recipients of their kindness, but rather they do it solely for the sake of Allah. Their pleasure lies in the act of giving and providing for those in need, knowing that they are fulfilling a duty prescribed by Allah.

In contrast, the pleasure of the wicked people lies in their own self-indulgence and gluttony. They prioritize their own desires and cravings over the needs of others. This selfish mindset is condemned in the Quran. In Surah Al-Isra (17:70), Allah warns against those who are extravagant in their eating and drinking, saying,

And do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of moderation and self-restraint when it comes to food and drink. The pleasure of the wicked, however, comes from indulging in excess and satisfying their own desires without considering the well-being of others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to adopt the noble mindset of feeding others and prioritizing the needs of the less fortunate. It encourages us to find joy in acts of charity and generosity, knowing that we are following in the footsteps of the noble-minded individuals praised by Allah in the Quran.

By embodying the spirit of this Hadith, we can cultivate a sense of empathy and compassion towards those who are in need. We can strive to alleviate hunger and poverty in our communities, recognizing that the pleasure derived from feeding others is far greater than any personal indulgence.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the stark contrast between the mindset of noble individuals who find pleasure in feeding others and the mindset of the wicked who find pleasure in indulging themselves. It reminds us to prioritize the needs of others and to find joy in acts of charity and generosity. May Allah guide us to be among the noble-minded and grant us the ability to serve and provide for those in need.