Hadith #6902

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us a profound lesson in morality and forgiveness. The key words in this Hadith are (do good) "أحْسِنْ" and (does evil) "أساءَ", as well as (forgive) "اعْفُ" and (wrongs) "جَنى".

The word "أحْسِنْ" comes from the root word "حَسَنَ" which means to do good or to excel in goodness. It implies going beyond mere justice and responding to evil with kindness, compassion, and generosity. This concept is beautifully emphasized in the Quran in Surah Fussilat, verse 34, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Repel evil with that which is better. Then the one who was your enemy will become your dearest friend.

Similarly, the word "أساءَ" means to do evil or harm. It refers to the actions of those who treat us unjustly, harm us, or act against our interests. In response to such behavior, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to do good, to respond with kindness and compassion, rather than seeking revenge or perpetuating the cycle of hatred and animosity.

The second part of the Hadith focuses on forgiveness. The word "اعْفُ" means to forgive, to pardon, or to let go of resentment. It is a noble quality that requires strength and humility. The word "جَنى" refers to the act of wronging or oppressing someone. It signifies the actions of those who intentionally or unintentionally cause harm or injustice to others.

The Quran beautifully emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in multiple verses. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 134, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Who spend [in the cause of Allah], during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice to do good to those who do evil to us and to forgive those who wrong us is rooted in the teachings of the Quran. It is a call to rise above our base instincts and to respond to negativity with positivity, to replace hatred with love, and to break the cycle of vengeance and retribution.

By doing good to those who harm us, we not only display the noble qualities of patience, kindness, and compassion, but we also have the potential to change hearts and transform enemies into friends. Our actions have the power to inspire change and bring about reconciliation.

Furthermore, forgiving those who wrong us is a means of purifying our own souls and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is an act of humility and a demonstration of our trust in Allah's justice. As mentioned in Surah An-Nur, verse 22,

And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of responding to evil with goodness and forgiving those who wrong us. It reminds us of the Quranic teachings that emphasize the virtues of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. By embodying these qualities, we not only elevate our own character but also contribute to the establishment of a more harmonious and peaceful society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the guidance of the Quran.