Hadith #9889

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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: "اَلْمَنُّ يُسَوِّدُ النِّعْمَةَ۔" This hadith can be translated into English as:

Putting someone under obligation blackens the favor.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this hadith. The word (yusawwidu) "يُسَوِّدُ" comes from the root word (sawada) "سَوَدَ", which means "to blacken" or "to darken." It signifies the negative consequence of placing someone in a state of obligation or indebtedness. The word (an-ni'mah) "النِّعْمَةَ" refers to the favor or blessing that is bestowed upon someone.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:272):

Not upon you, [O Muhammad], is [responsibility for] their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.

This verse highlights the importance of giving without expecting anything in return from the recipient. When we give selflessly, solely seeking the pleasure of Allah, we are not burdening others with a sense of obligation. Our intention should be to please Allah and benefit ourselves, rather than seeking gratitude or reciprocation from others.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Insan (76:9):

They give food, despite their 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 emphasizes the importance of giving for the sake of Allah alone, without expecting any form of repayment or gratitude. When we give without attaching strings or obligations, we preserve the purity of the favor or blessing we bestow upon others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith teaches us that when we put someone under obligation, we tarnish the beauty of the favor we have done for them. By expecting something in return, we darken the purity of our act of kindness. This is because true acts of kindness are done solely for the sake of Allah, without any ulterior motives or expectations.

When we put someone under obligation, it can create a sense of indebtedness and burden on the recipient. They may feel compelled to repay the favor, even if they are unable to do so. This can lead to strained relationships, resentment, and a loss of the purity and sincerity of the initial act of kindness.

Reflecting on this hadith, we should strive to give selflessly, without expecting anything in return. Our acts of kindness should be motivated by the desire to please Allah and benefit others, rather than seeking recognition or gratitude. By doing so, we preserve the purity and beauty of the favors we bestow upon others, and we uphold the teachings of the Quran and the noble example set by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

May Allah guide us to be selfless and sincere in our acts of kindness, and may He bless us with the ability to give without expecting anything in return. Ameen.