Hadith #8420

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

فَضيلَةُ الإنْسانِ بَذْلُ الإحْسانِ۔

This can be translated as:

The merit of a person lies in doing good to others.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of performing acts of kindness and benevolence towards others.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word (fadilah) "فَضيلَةُ" refers to excellence, virtue, or merit. It signifies the high moral qualities and noble character that a person possesses. It is through these qualities that an individual attains distinction and honor in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The word (badl) "بَذْلُ" means to give or bestow. It implies selflessness and generosity in one's actions. It is the act of going beyond what is expected and offering kindness and goodness to others without any expectation of reward or recognition.

The word (ihsan) "إحْسانِ" refers to acts of goodness, kindness, and excellence. It encompasses acts of charity, compassion, and benevolence towards others. It is the act of doing good in the best possible manner, with sincerity and excellence.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 195:

And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of spending in the way of Allah and doing good deeds. It encourages Muslims to be generous and selfless in their actions, just as Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlighted in his Hadith. By giving to others and performing acts of kindness, we not only benefit those in need but also earn the pleasure and love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 2:

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 emphasizes the importance of cooperation in righteousness and piety. It encourages Muslims to work together in performing acts of goodness and righteousness. By helping and supporting one another in acts of kindness, we strengthen our bonds as a community and fulfill the teachings of Islam.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the true merit of a person lies in their ability to do good to others. When we selflessly give and bestow kindness upon others, we not only uplift their spirits but also purify our own souls. Our actions have a ripple effect, spreading positivity and compassion in society.

By following the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the guidance of the Quran, we can strive to be individuals who embody the virtues of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. Let us remember that our true worth lies in our ability to make a positive impact on the lives of others, and in doing so, we draw closer to the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to practice this Hadith in our daily lives and become a source of goodness for all those around us.