Hadith #2398

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,

سُنَّةُ الكِرامِ تَرادُفُ الإنْعامِ۔

This can be translated as,

Continuous bestowal [of favours] is the practice of the honourable.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (sunnah) "سُنَّةُ" refers to a practice or a way of doing things. It signifies a consistent and continuous pattern of behavior. In this context, it refers to the consistent and continuous bestowal of favors and blessings. The word (al-kiram) "الكِرامِ" means the honorable ones, those who possess noble qualities and high moral standards. And (taradufu) "تَرادُفُ" means the repetition or continuity of something.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Rahman (55:29),

He causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night, and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. That is Allah, your Lord; to Him belongs sovereignty. And those whom you invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed.

This verse highlights the continuous and orderly nature of Allah's creation. The day and night alternate in a precise manner, the sun and moon follow their designated paths. This consistent pattern of the universe reflects the sunnah of Allah, the Creator. It is a manifestation of His continuous bestowal of blessings upon His creation.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Rahman (55:5-6), Allah says,

The sun and the moon [move] by precise calculation, and the stars and trees prostrate. And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance.

Here, Allah emphasizes the precise movements of celestial bodies and the obedience of creation to His command. This demonstrates the continuous bestowal of blessings and the orderliness of the universe.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The practice of the honorable ones is to continuously bestow favors and blessings upon others. Just as Allah's sunnah is to continuously bestow blessings upon His creation, the noble and virtuous individuals also follow this pattern. They consistently engage in acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness, without expecting anything in return.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself exemplified this practice throughout his life. His knowledge, wisdom, and compassion were continuously bestowed upon the Muslim community. He selflessly served the people, providing them with guidance, justice, and support. His actions were in line with the sunnah of Allah, as he continuously bestowed favors upon others.

The consequences of following this practice are far-reaching. When individuals adopt the sunnah of the honorable ones and continuously bestow favors upon others, it creates a ripple effect of goodness and positivity in society. It fosters a culture of compassion, empathy, and unity. It strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood among Muslims, and it brings about a sense of harmony and well-being in the community.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their own actions. Are we consistently bestowing favors upon others? Are we embodying the sunnah of the honorable ones? It urges us to evaluate our behavior and strive to align ourselves with the noble qualities of generosity, kindness, and selflessness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that continuous bestowal of favors is the practice of the honorable ones. It reminds us of the sunnah of Allah, the Creator, who continuously bestows blessings upon His creation. By following this practice, we can create a positive impact in our communities and strive to embody the noble qualities of generosity and selflessness. May Allah guide us all to follow the sunnah of the honorable ones and continuously bestow favors upon others.