Hadith #9901

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

ظُلْمُ الإحْسانِ قُبْحُ الاِمْتِنانِ۔

This can be translated into English as:

The oppression of favours is [through] the repulsiveness of [putting others under] obligation.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (dhulm) "ظُلْمُ" refers to oppression or injustice. (al-ihsan) "الإحْسانِ" means acts of kindness or favors. (qubh) "قُبْحُ" signifies repulsiveness or ugliness. And (al-imtinan) "الاِمْتِنانِ" refers to putting others under obligation or being ungrateful for favors received.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 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 what is good and pure. It warns against giving from what is defective or of lesser value. This is because giving something of lesser quality can be seen as an act of oppression or injustice towards the recipient. It is a form of belittling them and not valuing their worth.

Furthermore, the Quran also teaches us about the concept of gratitude. In Surah Ibrahim, verse 7, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'

This verse highlights the importance of being grateful for the favors and blessings bestowed upon us by Allah. Gratitude is not only a moral obligation but also a means of increasing the blessings in our lives. When we fail to express gratitude and instead take the favors for granted, we are being ungrateful and putting ourselves in a state of repulsiveness or ugliness.

Applying these Quranic teachings to the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can understand that the oppression of favors refers to the act of giving something of lesser value or quality to someone, thereby belittling them and not valuing their worth. This is an injustice and goes against the principles of kindness and generosity.

Furthermore, the repulsiveness of putting others under obligation refers to the ungratefulness and lack of appreciation for the favors received. When we fail to acknowledge and express gratitude for the kindness shown to us, we are displaying an unattractive quality of character.

The consequences of this oppression and ungratefulness are twofold. Firstly, it creates a sense of inequality and injustice within society. When favors are given with a lack of sincerity and genuine concern for the well-being of others, it perpetuates a cycle of oppression and undermines the principles of justice and fairness.

Secondly, the repulsiveness of putting others under obligation leads to a deterioration of relationships. When we fail to appreciate and acknowledge the kindness shown to us, it creates a sense of resentment and distance between individuals. This can ultimately lead to the breakdown of trust and harmony within communities.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of genuine acts of kindness and gratitude. As Muslims, it is our duty to give generously and sincerely, valuing the worth of others and treating them with fairness and justice. We must also cultivate a sense of gratitude, expressing appreciation for the favors and blessings we receive, both from Allah and from our fellow human beings.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be just and grateful individuals, and may He bless us with the ability to recognize and appreciate the acts of kindness shown to us.