Hadith #9914

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

There is no pleasure in the good turn of the obliger.

Let us delve into the meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (lalatha) "لالَذَّةَ" in the Hadith refers to pleasure, delight, or enjoyment. It signifies the feeling of satisfaction and contentment that one experiences when receiving a good deed or favor from someone. The word (sani'ati) "صَنيعَةِ" means the act of doing good or bestowing favors upon others. And (mannan) "مَنّان" refers to the one who is generous and benevolent in giving.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:272),

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 emphasizes that any good deed or favor we do is ultimately for our own benefit. When we engage in acts of kindness and generosity, we are not only seeking the pleasure of Allah but also investing in our own spiritual growth and well-being. The pleasure we derive from the good turn we do for others is not the true source of satisfaction; rather, it is the reward and blessings from Allah that we receive in return.

Furthermore, the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Isra (17:80) states,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking Allah's support and guidance in all our endeavors. It reminds us that true satisfaction and fulfillment come from relying on Allah's assistance rather than seeking validation or pleasure from others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, is teaching us through this Hadith that the true pleasure lies not in the act of giving or receiving favors, but in the consciousness of Allah's presence and the sincere intention behind our actions. When we perform acts of kindness solely for the sake of Allah, without seeking any worldly recognition or pleasure, we elevate our spirituality and draw closer to our Creator.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to purify their intentions and seek the pleasure of Allah in all their actions. It encourages us to detach ourselves from the desire for recognition and worldly rewards, and instead focus on the eternal rewards promised by Allah. By doing so, we cultivate a sense of humility, sincerity, and selflessness in our interactions with others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true pleasure and contentment are not derived from the good turn of the obliger, but from the consciousness of Allah's presence and the intention behind our actions. It reminds us to seek the pleasure of Allah and to detach ourselves from worldly desires and expectations. May Allah guide us to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the ability to perform acts of kindness solely for His sake.