Hadith #2466

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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,

مَنْ بَدَأَ العَطِيَّةَ مِنْ غَيْرِ طَلَب وأكْمَلَ المَعْرُوفَ مِنْ غَيْرِ امْتِنان فَقَدْ أكْمَلَ الإحْسانَ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of selfless giving and completing good deeds without any expectation of gratitude or reward.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. (al-'atiyyah) "العَطِيَّةَ" refers to giving or bestowing something upon someone. It signifies acts of charity, kindness, and generosity. (al-ma'ruf) "المَعْرُوفَ" refers to good deeds or acts of righteousness that are recognized and appreciated by society. It includes acts of kindness, helping others, and fulfilling one's obligations towards others. (al-ihsan) "الإحْسانَ" refers to the highest level of goodness and excellence in one's actions, where one performs acts of righteousness with sincerity and perfection.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195),

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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of selfless giving and doing good deeds for the sake of Allah without any expectation of return. It encourages Muslims to spend in the way of Allah and to engage in acts of kindness and righteousness. Similarly, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of initiating acts of charity and completing good deeds without any obligation or expectation.

Another verse that resonates with the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Insan (76:9), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the righteous believers, saying,

They give food to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'

This verse beautifully illustrates the essence of selfless giving and completing good deeds without expecting anything in return. The believers mentioned in this verse provide food to those in need solely for the sake of Allah, without seeking any reward or gratitude from the recipients. Their actions are driven by pure intentions and a desire to please Allah alone.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can understand that it encourages Muslims to go beyond the basic obligations of charity and righteousness. It urges us to initiate acts of kindness and generosity without waiting to be asked, and to complete good deeds without expecting any form of gratitude or recognition.

By doing so, we not only fulfill our obligations towards others but also attain a higher level of excellence in our actions. This selfless giving and completion of good deeds without any obligation or expectation reflects the true essence of ihsan, which is to perform acts of righteousness with sincerity and perfection.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to embody the spirit of selfless giving and completion of good deeds without any expectation. It encourages us to go beyond the basic obligations and strive for excellence in our actions. By doing so, we not only please Allah but also contribute to the betterment of society and the well-being of our fellow human beings. May Allah guide us all to embody the teachings of this Hadith and strive for excellence in our actions.