Hadith #3387

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,

إذا رَأيْتُمُ الخَيْرَ فَخُذُوا بهِ۔

This can be translated as,

When you witness [a] good [deed] then take to it.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (khayr) "خَيْرَ" in Arabic refers to goodness, virtue, righteousness, or any action that is praiseworthy in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses acts of kindness, charity, justice, and all other noble deeds that bring benefit to oneself and others.

The command of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to "take to it" implies that when we come across a good deed, we should not merely acknowledge it or appreciate it from a distance, but rather actively engage in it and make it a part of our own lives. This means that we should not be passive observers, but rather active participants in spreading goodness and righteousness in the world.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of actively engaging in good deeds. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:148),

So race to [all that is] good.

This verse encourages Muslims to compete in performing good deeds, to strive and hasten towards acts of righteousness. It highlights the importance of taking immediate action when we witness something good, just as Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advised.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.

This verse emphasizes the importance of working together as a community to promote goodness and righteousness. It encourages Muslims to actively engage in acts of righteousness and to support one another in doing so.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement also highlights the concept of (enjoining what is good) "amr bil ma'ruf" and (forbidding what is evil) "nahi anil munkar", which are important principles in Islam. When we witness a good deed, it is our duty to not only participate in it ourselves but also encourage others to do the same. By actively engaging in good deeds and inspiring others to do so, we contribute to the betterment of society and the spread of righteousness.

Taking the example of charity, if we witness someone helping the poor and needy, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to not only appreciate the act but also actively participate in it. We can donate our time, money, or resources to support charitable causes and make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. By doing so, we follow the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of charity and helping those less fortunate.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement,

When you witness [a] good [deed] then take to it,

serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively engage in acts of goodness and righteousness. It encourages us to not only appreciate and acknowledge good deeds but also actively participate in them and inspire others to do the same. By doing so, we contribute to the betterment of society and fulfill our duty as believers. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the path of righteousness and grant us the ability to actively engage in good deeds.