Hadith #9903

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 بِمَعْرُوفِهِ أسْقَطَ شُكْرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who puts an obligation [on others] with his kind act drops [and forgoes] his gratitude.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (man) "مَنَّ" means "one who" or "whoever." (ma'rufihi) "مَعْرُوفِهِ" refers to a kind or virtuous act. (asqata) "أسْقَطَ" means to drop or forgo. And (shukrahu) "شُكْرَهُ" signifies gratitude or thanks.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 267:

O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.

This verse emphasizes the importance of giving in charity from what is good and pure. It encourages us to be mindful of the quality of our acts of kindness and to avoid offering anything that is defective or of lesser value. By doing so, we not only fulfill our obligation but also demonstrate gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 272, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

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 highlights the concept of selflessness in acts of kindness. When we perform good deeds, we should not seek recognition or gratitude from others. Instead, our intention should be solely to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we detach ourselves from any expectations of gratitude and allow our acts of kindness to be solely for the sake of Allah.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. When we put an obligation on others through our kind acts, we should not expect gratitude or appreciation from them. By forgoing our right to be thanked, we purify our intentions and ensure that our acts of kindness are solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, teaches us the importance of sincerity and selflessness in our actions. He encourages us to perform acts of kindness without any expectation of gratitude or recognition from others. This not only strengthens our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but also allows us to experience the true essence of selfless giving.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to perform acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. We should strive to be selfless in our actions, seeking only the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we not only fulfill our obligations but also cultivate a sense of gratitude towards Allah for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and to perform acts of kindness with sincerity and selflessness.