Hadith #9186

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "الكريم يتغافل وينخدع" which translates to

The noble-minded person feigns inattention and pretends to be deceived.

This Hadith contains profound wisdom and guidance for Muslims, teaching us about the noble qualities of a believer and the importance of humility and selflessness.

The word (al-karim) "الكريم" refers to someone who possesses noble qualities, such as generosity, kindness, and honor. This person is known for their noble character and high moral standards. The word (yataghaful) "يتغافل" means to feign inattention or to pretend not to notice something. It implies that the noble-minded person does not draw attention to their own virtues or good deeds, but rather humbly conceals them.

Similarly, the word (yankhadia) "ينخدع" means to pretend to be deceived or to act as if one has been fooled. This indicates that the noble-minded person does not seek recognition or praise for their actions, but rather humbly accepts any misunderstandings or misconceptions that may arise.

This Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) can be further understood and supported by various Quranic verses. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:263),

Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing.

This verse emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds without seeking recognition or causing harm to others. The noble-minded person, as described in the Hadith, embodies this principle by concealing their virtues and forgiving any misunderstandings that may arise.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them.

This verse highlights the importance of avoiding arrogance and judging others based on appearances. The noble-minded person, as described in the Hadith, does not seek to elevate themselves above others but rather remains humble and refrains from ridiculing or underestimating others.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us that true nobility lies in humility and selflessness. The noble-minded person does not seek recognition or praise for their good deeds, but rather focuses on serving others and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. They are not concerned with personal gain or worldly recognition, but rather prioritize the well-being and happiness of others.

By feigning inattention and pretending to be deceived, the noble-minded person avoids drawing attention to themselves and their good deeds. They do not seek validation or praise from others, but rather find contentment in knowing that they have fulfilled their duty towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and their fellow Muslims.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder for us to reflect on our own actions and intentions. Are we performing good deeds solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) or are we seeking recognition and praise from others? Are we truly humble and selfless in our actions, or do we have hidden motives and desires for personal gain?

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of humility and selflessness in our actions. The noble-minded person, as described in the Hadith, exemplifies these qualities by concealing their virtues and not seeking recognition or praise from others. They prioritize the well-being and happiness of others over personal gain or worldly recognition. May we all strive to embody these noble qualities and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do.