Hadith #2504

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:

لامَعْرُوفَ أضْيَعُ مِنِ اصْطِناعِ الكَفُورِ۔

This can be translated into English as:

There is no benevolence more misused than doing good to the ingrate.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word "لامَعْرُوفَ" refers to acts of kindness, goodness, or benevolence. It encompasses all forms of virtuous deeds that are done with sincerity and selflessness. The word "أضْيَعُ" means to be wasted, lost, or misused. And the phrase "اصْطِناعِ الكَفُورِ" refers to the act of doing good to someone who is ungrateful or denies the blessings they receive.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of doing good deeds and being kind to others. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 195, Allah says:

And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.

However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that there is a limit to our benevolence. When we extend our kindness and goodness to someone who is ungrateful, it is likely to be wasted or misused. This is because the ingrate does not appreciate or acknowledge the good that is done for them. They may even take advantage of the kindness shown to them, causing harm or showing no gratitude in return.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the consequences of associating with those who are ungrateful or deny His blessings. In Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 8, Allah says:

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse teaches us that we should treat all people with fairness and justice, regardless of their beliefs or actions towards us. However, it is important to recognize that there are limits to our benevolence. If someone consistently denies or rejects the good that is done for them, it may be wiser to redirect our efforts towards those who are more deserving of our kindness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of discernment and wisdom in our acts of benevolence. While it is commendable to do good to others, we must also consider the intentions and gratitude of the recipients. By doing so, we can ensure that our acts of kindness are not wasted or misused, and that they have a positive impact on those who truly appreciate them.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of discernment and wisdom in our acts of kindness. While it is virtuous to do good to others, we should be cautious of extending our benevolence to those who are ungrateful or deny the blessings they receive. By doing so, we can ensure that our acts of kindness are utilized in a manner that brings about positive change and benefits those who truly appreciate them. May Allah guide us to be wise and discerning in our actions, and may He accept our efforts to do good in His cause.