Hadith #9917

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the potential negative consequences of expecting gratitude or putting others under obligation when performing acts of kindness or favors. The key words in this Hadith are (putting others under obligation) "المَنَّ" and (good acts or kindness) "المَعْرُوفِ".

The word (putting others under obligation) "المَنَّ" refers to expecting gratitude or recognition from others for the good deeds we have done for them. It implies seeking acknowledgement or repayment for our acts of kindness. On the other hand, (good acts or kindness) "المَعْرُوفِ" encompasses all forms of virtuous deeds and acts of goodness that we perform for the sake of Allah and to benefit others.

To better understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 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 emphasizes that our acts of goodness should be solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and not seeking any worldly gain or recognition. When we perform acts of kindness with the intention of pleasing Allah, we are promised that our efforts will be fully rewarded by Him. Therefore, seeking gratitude or putting others under obligation should not be our motivation.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Insan, Ayah 9:

They give food 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 highlights the selflessness of those who give charity or provide sustenance to those in need. They do so purely for the sake of Allah, without expecting any reward or gratitude from the recipients. Their intention is solely to seek the pleasure of Allah and to fulfill their duty towards their fellow human beings.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the negative consequences of expecting gratitude or putting others under obligation. When we perform acts of kindness with the expectation of receiving something in return, it diminishes the sincerity and purity of our intentions. It taints our good deeds and can lead to disappointment, resentment, and even the loss of the reward from Allah.

Furthermore, expecting gratitude or putting others under obligation can create a sense of entitlement and superiority within ourselves. It can lead to arrogance and a lack of humility, as we start to believe that we are doing others a favor rather than fulfilling our duty as servants of Allah. This attitude goes against the teachings of Islam, which emphasize humility, selflessness, and sincerity in our actions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for us to purify our intentions and perform acts of kindness solely for the sake of Allah. We should not seek gratitude or put others under obligation, as it spoils the purity of our good deeds and can lead to negative consequences. Let us strive to emulate the selflessness and sincerity of those who give for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure alone. May Allah guide us and enable us to perform acts of goodness with pure intentions.