Hadith #2360

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

إذا صَنَعْتَ مَعْرُوفاً فَانْسَهُ۔

This can be translated into English as:

When you do a good turn [to someone], forget it.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (sanata) "صَنَعْتَ" means "to do" or "to perform." The word (ma'rufan) "مَعْرُوفاً" refers to a good deed or a virtuous act. And the word (fansahu) "فَانْسَهُ" means "to forget" or "to overlook."

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 263:

A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing.

This verse emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds without expecting anything in return, and also highlights the significance of forgiving others.

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 engage in acts of righteousness and goodness, while also cautioning against participating in sinful or harmful actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith teaches us a valuable lesson about the attitude we should adopt when performing good deeds. It reminds us to do acts of kindness solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), without seeking recognition or expecting gratitude from others. By forgetting the good deeds we have done, we purify our intentions and ensure that our actions are solely driven by our desire to please Allah.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and selflessness. When we perform a good deed and then forget about it, we prevent ourselves from becoming prideful or seeking praise from others. Instead, we focus on the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the reward that awaits us in the Hereafter.

Moreover, by forgetting the good deeds we have done, we avoid harboring any feelings of entitlement or superiority over others. This fosters a sense of equality and unity among Muslims, as we recognize that every good deed is ultimately a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and an opportunity to serve His creation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of performing good deeds purely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and forgetting them afterwards. It reminds us to be humble, selfless, and focused on pleasing Allah rather than seeking recognition from others. By embodying these teachings, we can cultivate a spirit of sincerity and righteousness in our actions, and strive to attain the pleasure of Allah in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah guide us all to follow the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt and grant us the ability to perform good deeds with sincerity and humility.