Hadith #2384

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,

خَيْرُ المَعْرُوْفِ ما أُصِيبَ بِهِ الأبْرارُ۔

This can be translated as,

The best good turn is one that benefits the righteous.

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

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (khayr) "خَيْرُ" refers to goodness, excellence, or virtue. (al-ma'ruf) "المَعْرُوْفِ" can be understood as a good deed or an act of kindness. (usiba) "أُصِيبَ" means to attain or achieve, and (al-abrar) "الأبْرارُ" refers to the righteous or virtuous individuals.

To shed light on the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177),

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.

From this verse, we understand that true righteousness lies in belief in Allah and His teachings, as well as in performing acts of kindness and charity towards others. The best good turn, as mentioned in the Hadith, is one that benefits the righteous. This means that the act of kindness should be directed towards those who are already righteous, or those who are striving to be righteous.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of helping the righteous in Surah Al-Tawbah (9:71), where He says,

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

This verse highlights the unity and support among the believers, and the importance of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. By assisting the righteous, we strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and contribute to the overall well-being of the Muslim community.

Imam Ali's statement reminds us that our acts of kindness should not be limited to random acts or solely focused on personal gain. Instead, we should strive to benefit those who are already on the path of righteousness, as they are the ones who will truly appreciate and utilize our help. By doing so, we contribute to the growth and development of the righteous individuals, and in turn, strengthen the fabric of the Muslim community.

Moreover, this Hadith encourages us to reflect on the quality of our good deeds. It reminds us that the best good turn is not merely measured by its quantity or outward appearance, but rather by its impact on the righteous. It urges us to prioritize the well-being and support of those who are striving to please Allah and follow His guidance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the best good turn is one that benefits the righteous. This aligns with the Quranic teachings that emphasize the importance of supporting and assisting the believers. By directing our acts of kindness towards the righteous, we contribute to their growth and development, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, and ultimately strive towards the betterment of the Muslim community as a whole. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform acts of kindness that truly benefit the righteous.