Hadith #9294

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One who does not recompense offence with favour is not from the noble-minded ones.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of responding to harm or offense with kindness and generosity. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the teachings of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (offence) "إساءَةَ" and (favour) "إحْسانِ". "إساءَةَ" refers to any form of harm, insult, or wrongdoing that is inflicted upon a person. It can be physical, verbal, or emotional in nature. On the other hand, "إحْسانِ" refers to acts of goodness, kindness, and benevolence. It encompasses treating others with compassion, forgiveness, and generosity.

The Quranic teachings beautifully support the message of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Fussilat (41:34),

The good deed and the evil deed are not equal. Repel evil with that which is better; then indeed, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.

This verse highlights the importance of responding to evil with goodness. By doing so, we can transform animosity into friendship and promote harmony and peace.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises the believers,

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with fairness and justice, even if they have wronged us in some way.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us several important lessons. Firstly, it reminds us of the noble character of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) who embodied the teachings of the Quran. He was known for his wisdom, knowledge, and patience. Secondly, this Hadith encourages us to rise above our ego and respond to harm with kindness. It teaches us that true nobility lies in forgiving and showing compassion, even when faced with adversity.

By responding to offense with favor, we can break the cycle of hatred and animosity. Our actions have the power to transform hearts and bring about positive change. When we choose to respond to harm with kindness, we not only uplift ourselves but also inspire others to do the same. This Hadith reminds us that true strength lies in controlling our anger and responding with love and compassion.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of recompensing offense with favor. It urges us to respond to harm with kindness, forgiveness, and generosity. This teaching is in line with the Quranic principles of repelling evil with goodness and treating others with fairness and justice. May we all strive to embody the noble character exemplified by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be among the noble-minded ones.