Hadith #9207

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لَيْسَ مِنْ عادَةِ الكِرامِ تَأْخِيرُ الإنْعامِ

which translates to,

It is not the habit of noble-minded people to delay bounties.

This amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the characteristic of noble individuals who do not postpone or withhold their acts of generosity and kindness.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The term "عادَةِ" refers to a habit or customary behavior, while "الكِرامِ" refers to noble-minded individuals who possess virtuous qualities and high moral standards. The word "تَأْخِيرُ" means to delay or postpone, and "الإنْعامِ" signifies bounties or blessings.

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of promptly fulfilling our obligations and not delaying acts of goodness. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 83, Allah says,

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse highlights the obligation to fulfill our duties towards our parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy without delay.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 2, Allah states,

O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. 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 fulfilling the rituals and obligations associated with the sacred months and the pilgrimage without any delay or negligence.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages us to promptly fulfill our responsibilities and not postpone acts of goodness. This aligns perfectly with the statement of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the Hadith, where he highlights that noble-minded individuals do not delay their acts of generosity and kindness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can draw several important lessons. Firstly, it reminds us to seize every opportunity to do good and extend our help to others. We should not postpone acts of kindness, as delaying them may cause unnecessary hardship or missed opportunities for those in need. Secondly, this Hadith encourages us to cultivate the virtue of promptness in our actions. Just as noble individuals do not delay their acts of goodness, we should strive to be punctual and efficient in fulfilling our obligations towards Allah and His creation.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder that delaying acts of goodness can have negative consequences. It can lead to missed opportunities for blessings and the loss of reward in the sight of Allah. Additionally, delaying acts of kindness can create a sense of indifference or neglect towards the needs of others, which goes against the teachings of Islam that emphasize compassion and empathy.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of promptly fulfilling our obligations and not delaying acts of goodness. It reminds us to be proactive in extending our help to others and to cultivate the virtue of promptness in our actions. By embodying these qualities, we can strive to be noble-minded individuals who are always ready to bestow bounties upon others, just as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has bestowed His blessings upon us. May Allah guide us all to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and may He grant us the ability to promptly fulfill our obligations and be a source of goodness for others.