Hadith #2443

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,

مَنْ أحْسَنَ اِكْتَسَبَ حُسْنَ الثَّناءِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who does a kind act earns good praise.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ahsana) "أحْسَنَ" in this Hadith means to do something in the best possible manner, to excel in goodness, or to act with excellence. It implies going beyond the minimum requirements and performing an act of kindness with sincerity, perfection, and utmost effort. This word reminds us of the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Baqarah, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 2:195)

Indeed, Allah loves those who act excellently.

The term (iktasaba) "اِكْتَسَبَ" in the Hadith refers to acquiring or earning something. It emphasizes the idea that the good praise mentioned in the Hadith is not something that is given freely or without effort. It requires actively seeking and earning it through one's actions. This echoes the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Isra, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 4:124)

And whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.

The phrase (husna ath-thana) "حُسْنَ الثَّناءِ" in the Hadith refers to good praise or commendation. It signifies the positive recognition and appreciation that one receives for their virtuous actions. This can come from both Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and fellow human beings. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Furqan reminds us of the importance of seeking Allah's praise, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 25:63)

And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.

This Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the significance of performing acts of kindness and excellence. It emphasizes the idea that our actions should not be limited to fulfilling the basic obligations, but should go beyond that. By doing so, we not only earn the good praise of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but also the admiration and respect of our fellow Muslims.

When we strive to excel in our acts of kindness, we create a positive impact on those around us. Our good deeds become a source of inspiration for others, motivating them to follow in our footsteps. This Hadith encourages us to be proactive in seeking opportunities to do good, to be kind, and to go the extra mile in our actions.

By earning good praise through our virtuous deeds, we also cultivate a positive reputation and influence in society. People naturally gravitate towards those who consistently display kindness, compassion, and excellence in their conduct. This Hadith reminds us of the importance of building a positive image as Muslims, as it reflects the beauty and teachings of Islam.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a reminder that our actions are not solely for the sake of praise or recognition from others. Our ultimate goal should be to seek the pleasure and good praise of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we perform acts of kindness with sincerity and solely for the sake of Allah, we are rewarded not only in this world but also in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of performing acts of kindness with excellence and sincerity. It reminds us that by going beyond the minimum requirements and actively seeking opportunities to do good, we earn the good praise of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the admiration of our fellow Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to excel in our acts of kindness and earn His good praise.