Hadith #31

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

The doer of good is better than the good itself, and the doer of evil is worse than the evil itself.

This enlightening saying highlights the significance of actions and their consequences. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (فَاعِلُ) "doer", (خَيْرٌ) "good", and (شَرٌّ) "evil". The word "doer" refers to the one who performs an action, whether it is good or evil. It emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and accountability for our deeds. "Good" refers to actions that are righteous, virtuous, and beneficial to oneself and others. On the other hand, "evil" refers to actions that are sinful, harmful, and detrimental to oneself and others.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:148):

For each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.

This verse encourages Muslims to strive towards performing good deeds and to compete in doing so. It emphasizes the importance of taking the initiative in doing good and not waiting for others to do so.

Another verse that supports the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:32):

Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.

This verse highlights the immense value of saving a life and the grave sin of taking a life unjustly. It emphasizes that the doer of good, in this case, the one who saves a life, is better than the good itself, which is the act of saving a life.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our actions define us and have consequences. It teaches us that the person who performs good deeds is superior to the good itself because their actions reflect their character, intentions, and efforts. For example, a person who donates to charity not only benefits the recipients but also demonstrates generosity, empathy, and compassion. Their act of giving is a manifestation of their inner goodness.

Conversely, the doer of evil is worse than the evil itself because their actions reflect their malevolence, cruelty, and disregard for others. For instance, a person who spreads false rumors not only causes harm and discord but also reveals their dishonesty, malice, and lack of integrity. Their act of spreading falsehoods is a reflection of their inner evil.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for righteousness and to be mindful of their actions. It encourages us to be proactive in doing good and to avoid engaging in evil deeds. It reminds us that our actions have far-reaching consequences, not only in this world but also in the Hereafter. It urges us to reflect on the quality of our deeds and to constantly seek improvement in our character and behavior.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the significance of being a doer of good and the gravity of being a doer of evil. It emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and accountability for our actions. By aligning our deeds with the teachings of the Quran, we can strive to be better individuals and contribute positively to society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to be righteous doers of good and protect us from the path of evil.