Hadith #2509

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 family, his noble companions, and all those who follow their righteous path.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

There is no virtue in the good turn that is reckoned [as a favour].

This impactful saying highlights the importance of sincerity and selflessness in our acts of kindness and favors towards others. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are "ma'ruf" and "muhsa". "Ma'ruf" refers to acts of goodness, kindness, and righteousness that are recognized and appreciated by society. It encompasses all the virtuous deeds that are encouraged and praised in Islam. On the other hand, "muhsa" means to count, calculate, or reckon something.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197),

It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.

This verse emphasizes that the true value of our actions lies not in their outward form, but in the sincerity and righteousness with which they are performed. Similarly, in Surah Al-Insan (76:9), Allah states,

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

This verse highlights that acts of kindness and charity should be done solely for the sake of Allah, without seeking any recognition or reward from others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that when we perform acts of goodness, they should not be driven by the desire for recognition or to be praised by others. Instead, our intentions should be solely directed towards pleasing Allah and seeking His pleasure. This Hadith teaches us that the true value of a good deed lies in its sincerity and selflessness, rather than in the recognition or appreciation it receives from others.

For example, if someone helps a person in need, but only does so to gain praise or favors in return, their act loses its true virtue. On the other hand, if someone helps another person sincerely and selflessly, solely for the sake of Allah, their act becomes truly virtuous and pleasing to Him. This Hadith encourages us to purify our intentions and reminds us that the true reward for our good deeds lies with Allah alone.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and modesty in our actions. Allah says in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83),

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

This verse highlights that those who seek recognition and exaltation in this world will not be granted the true reward in the Hereafter. Therefore, we should strive to perform acts of goodness with humility and without seeking any worldly gain or recognition.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of sincerity and selflessness in our acts of kindness and favors towards others. It reminds us that the true value of a good deed lies in its sincerity and righteousness, rather than in the recognition or appreciation it receives from others. By purifying our intentions and seeking the pleasure of Allah alone, we can ensure that our actions are truly virtuous and deserving of reward. May Allah guide us to perform good deeds with sincerity and humility, and may He accept our efforts.