Hadith #9895

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,

التَّكَرُّمُ مَعَ الاِمْتِنانِ لُؤْمٌ۔

This can be translated as,

Doing acts of kindness along with obligation is vileness.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. "التَّكَرُّمُ" refers to acts of kindness, generosity, and benevolence. It encompasses going beyond what is expected or required, and extending oneself to help others. "الاِمْتِنانِ" refers to obligations or duties that are incumbent upon an individual. It signifies the fulfillment of responsibilities and the performance of obligatory acts.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195),

And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of acts of kindness and generosity. It encourages Muslims to spend in the way of Allah, not only fulfilling their obligations but also going beyond them. By doing so, they demonstrate their gratitude to Allah for the blessings bestowed upon them. This aligns with the concept of "التَّكَرُّمُ" mentioned in the Hadith.

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 for righteous deeds and acts of kindness. It highlights the significance of going beyond our obligations to help others and promote goodness in society.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against the vileness of performing acts of kindness only when obligated to do so. It reminds us that true kindness and generosity go beyond fulfilling our duties. When we limit ourselves to mere obligations, we miss out on the opportunity to make a positive impact and bring about meaningful change in the lives of others.

For example, imagine a person who fulfills their obligatory acts of charity, such as paying the Zakat, but does not extend their generosity beyond that. They may be fulfilling their duty, but they are missing out on the chance to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Their actions may be seen as vileness because they are not fully embracing the spirit of kindness and benevolence.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for excellence in their acts of kindness and generosity. It encourages us to go above and beyond what is expected of us, not only in fulfilling our obligations but also in extending our help and support to others. By doing so, we embody the true essence of Islam and follow in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of performing acts of kindness along with our obligations. It warns against limiting ourselves to mere obligations and encourages us to go beyond what is expected of us. By doing so, we demonstrate our gratitude to Allah and make a positive impact on the lives of others. May Allah guide us all to embody the spirit of true kindness and generosity.