Hadith #9899

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Prolonged obligation spoils the pureness of a good turn.

Let us delve into the meaning and significance of this impactful Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (tul) "طُولُ" in the Hadith refers to the prolongation or lengthening of an obligation or favor. It implies that when a favor or good deed is prolonged, it may lose its purity and sincerity. The word (imtinan) "اِمْتِنانِ" means gratitude or thankfulness, indicating that the obligation being referred to is one that is owed in response to a good turn.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267),

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 the best of what we have earned. It implies that when we give, we should not give from something defective or of lesser value. Similarly, when we do a good turn for someone, it should be done with sincerity and without any ulterior motives. The obligation that arises from such a good turn should not be prolonged to the extent that it loses its purity and becomes burdensome.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept mentioned in the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of iḥrām, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling our obligations and responsibilities without prolonging them to the point of transgression. It reminds us to cooperate in righteousness and piety, but not in sin and aggression. Therefore, when we do a good turn or favor for someone, we should fulfill our obligation promptly and not let it linger to the extent that it becomes burdensome or leads to transgression.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of the obligations that arise from the good deeds we do for others. While it is important to be grateful and fulfill our obligations, we should also be cautious not to prolong them to the point where they lose their purity and become burdensome. This Hadith encourages us to strike a balance between gratitude and timely fulfillment of our obligations.

For example, if someone helps us in a time of need, it is our duty to express our gratitude and reciprocate the favor. However, if we delay fulfilling our obligation for an extended period, it may lead to resentment or a sense of burden on the part of the person who helped us. This can spoil the purity of the initial good turn and strain the relationship between individuals.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of fulfilling our obligations promptly and not prolonging them to the point where they lose their purity. It encourages us to be grateful for the good turns done to us and to reciprocate them in a timely manner. By doing so, we maintain the sincerity and purity of our actions, fostering healthy relationships and promoting a harmonious society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in fulfilling our obligations and grant us the wisdom to understand the deeper meanings of His teachings.