Hadith #2319

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds without seeking recognition or gratitude from others. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking saying in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (makrumah) "مَكْرُمَةً", (sana'ta) "صَنَعْتَ", (nafsak) "نَفْسَكَ", (irdak) "عِرْضَكَ", and (shukr) "شُكْرَ".

"Makrumah" refers to a good deed or an act of kindness. "Sana'ta" means to perform or do. "Nafsak" refers to oneself, and "irdak" refers to one's honor or dignity. Finally, "shukr" means gratitude or thanks.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Insan (76:9),

We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.

This verse reminds us that our acts of kindness and charity should be solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and not the recognition or gratitude of others. When we perform good deeds with sincerity, we are actually elevating our own souls and adorning our own honor, just as Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentioned in the Hadith.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:272), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

It is not required of you to give them (the needy) cattle and goods, but it is required of you to give them guidance and knowledge.

This verse highlights the importance of performing acts of kindness without expecting anything in return, as the true value lies in providing guidance and knowledge to others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for us as Muslims to purify our intentions and focus on the greater reward that comes from Allah. When we perform good deeds solely for the sake of Allah, we are not only benefiting others but also elevating our own character and strengthening our relationship with our Creator.

By seeking gratitude from others for our good deeds, we risk tainting our intentions and seeking validation from the creation rather than the Creator. This can lead to arrogance, pride, and a loss of sincerity in our actions. On the other hand, when we perform good deeds solely for the sake of Allah, we are humbling ourselves and recognizing that all blessings come from Him alone.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of performing good deeds without seeking recognition or gratitude from others. It reminds us to purify our intentions and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our actions. By doing so, we not only ennoble ourselves but also strengthen our relationship with our Creator. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform good deeds with sincerity and humility.