Hadith #9905

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,

مَنْ مَنَّ بِإحْسانِهِ فَكَأنَّهُ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever puts an obligation with his favor, it is as if he has not done a favor.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words used. The word (ihsanihi) "إحْسانِهِ" is derived from the root word (ihsan) "إحْسان", which means to do good or to excel in goodness. It encompasses acts of kindness, benevolence, and going above and beyond what is expected. The word (mann) "مَنَّ" refers to the one who does this act of ihsan, and (fakaannahou lam yuhsin) "فَكَأنَّهُ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ" means that it is as if the person has not done any good at all.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincerity and selflessness in our acts of kindness and favors towards others. It reminds us that when we perform acts of ihsan, we should not attach any expectations or obligations to them. Instead, we should do them purely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to seek His pleasure.

This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:272),

Not upon you, [O Muhammad], is [responsibility for] their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.

This verse reminds us that our acts of goodness and charity are ultimately for our own benefit, as they bring us closer to Allah and purify our souls. We should not seek recognition or gratitude from others, but rather focus on pleasing Allah alone.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Insan (76:9), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

They give food, despite their 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.'

This verse highlights the selflessness and sincerity of those who give for the sake of Allah. They do not expect anything in return, but rather seek the pleasure of Allah alone. Their acts of ihsan are not tainted by any ulterior motives or desires for recognition.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith that true acts of ihsan are those that are done solely for the sake of Allah. When we perform acts of kindness, we should not expect anything in return or burden others with a sense of obligation. Instead, we should strive to be selfless and sincere, seeking only the pleasure of Allah.

By embodying this principle in our daily lives, we can cultivate a spirit of generosity, compassion, and humility. We will find contentment in knowing that our acts of ihsan are solely for the sake of Allah, and we will be rewarded abundantly in this world and the hereafter. May Allah guide us all to be sincere in our acts of ihsan and grant us the ability to excel in goodness.