Hadith #2377

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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,

تَمامُ الإحْسانِ تَرْكُ المَنِّ بِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

The completion of benevolence is abandoning [putting one under] obligation by it.

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

The word (ihsan) "إحْسانِ" in this Hadith refers to benevolence or kindness. It encompasses acts of goodness, charity, and going above and beyond in one's actions towards others. It is an essential aspect of Islam, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90)

Indeed, Allah orders justice and benevolence

Therefore, the concept of ihsan is deeply rooted in the teachings of Islam.

The phrase (tarqul manni bihi) "تَرْكُ المَنِّ بِهِ" in the Hadith refers to abandoning or refraining from putting someone under obligation. It implies that true benevolence is not seeking any form of repayment or expecting anything in return for our acts of kindness. It is about selflessly helping others without any ulterior motives or expectations.

This concept is beautifully emphasized in the Quran in Surah Al-Insan, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the righteous believers who feed the poor, the orphan, and the captive, saying, (Surah Al-Insan, 76:9)

We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude

This verse highlights the essence of true benevolence, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah alone and not to expect anything in return from the recipients of our kindness.

When we practice ihsan without expecting any form of compensation, it purifies our intentions and elevates our actions to a higher level of spirituality. It becomes a means of seeking closeness to Allah and attaining His pleasure. As Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Surah Al-Insan, 76:8-9)

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude'

By practicing ihsan in this manner, we detach ourselves from the materialistic expectations of this world and focus solely on pleasing our Creator. This selflessness not only benefits the recipients of our kindness but also purifies our own souls and strengthens our relationship with Allah. It is a means of attaining spiritual growth and developing a sense of empathy and compassion towards others.

Furthermore, when we abandon the desire for recognition or repayment, it helps us overcome the ego and cultivate humility. It prevents us from seeking praise or boasting about our acts of kindness. Instead, we learn to direct our intentions solely towards Allah, seeking His pleasure and reward. As Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:110)

So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the completion of benevolence lies in abandoning the desire for recognition or repayment. It is about selflessly helping others without expecting anything in return. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of practicing ihsan solely for the sake of Allah. By embodying this principle, we not only benefit those around us but also purify our own souls and strengthen our relationship with our Creator. May Allah grant us the ability to practice true benevolence and seek His pleasure in all our actions.