Hadith #2469

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,

مَنْ لَمْ يُرَبِّ مَعْرُوفَهُ فَقَدْ ضَيَّعَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who does not nurture his good turn has indeed lost it.

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

The word (ma'rufahu) "مَعْرُوفَهُ" in the Hadith refers to acts of kindness, goodness, and benevolence. It encompasses all forms of virtuous deeds that are recognized as good by society and are in accordance with the teachings of Islam. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of nurturing these acts of goodness, indicating that they require continuous care and attention.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the significance of performing good deeds and nurturing them. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177, Allah says,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse highlights the importance of nurturing acts of righteousness, such as giving charity, fulfilling promises, and being patient in times of hardship. It teaches us that true righteousness is not limited to mere rituals, but it encompasses a comprehensive approach to life that includes social responsibility and moral conduct.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Balad, verse 17, where Allah says,

Then he should be grateful for My favors.

This verse emphasizes the importance of gratitude for the blessings and favors bestowed upon us by Allah. Gratitude is a form of nurturing our good deeds, as it involves acknowledging and appreciating the goodness that we have been blessed with.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that performing good deeds is not enough; we must also nurture and cultivate them. When we engage in acts of kindness, it is essential to continue nurturing them by reflecting upon their motivations, consequences, and the impact they have on ourselves and others.

For example, if we perform a charitable act, we should reflect on the intention behind it, ensuring that it is solely for the sake of Allah and not driven by any ulterior motives. We should also consider the consequences of our actions, recognizing the positive impact they can have on the lives of those in need. By nurturing our good deeds in this way, we ensure that they remain sincere, impactful, and beneficial.

Furthermore, nurturing our good deeds involves striving for consistency and improvement. It requires us to continuously seek opportunities to perform acts of kindness and to enhance the quality of our actions. By doing so, we prevent our good deeds from becoming stagnant or diminishing in value.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims to not only engage in acts of goodness but also to nurture and cultivate them. This nurturing process involves reflecting on our intentions, considering the consequences of our actions, and striving for consistency and improvement. By doing so, we ensure that our good deeds remain sincere, impactful, and beneficial. May Allah guide us all to nurture our good deeds and grant us the ability to continuously perform acts of kindness for His sake.