Hadith #2505

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

لاخَيْرَ فِي المَعْرُوفِ إلى غَيْرِ عَرُوف۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of performing acts of kindness and goodness towards those who truly appreciate and recognize their value.

Let us delve into the words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (ma'ruf) "مَعْرُوفِ" refers to acts of goodness, kindness, and righteousness. It encompasses all actions that are recognized and appreciated as virtuous by society. The word (ghayr) "غَيْرِ" means "other" or

someone who is not.

And finally, the word (aruf) "عَرُوف۔" refers to someone who recognizes, appreciates, and acknowledges the value of the good that is being done to them.

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 2:197)

And whatever good you do - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.

This verse highlights that Allah is fully aware of every act of goodness that we perform, regardless of whether it is recognized or appreciated by others. Our intentions and actions are known to Him, and He rewards us accordingly.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 2:264)

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day.

This verse cautions against performing acts of goodness solely for the sake of recognition or praise from others. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity and true belief in Allah and the Day of Judgment.

Now, let us reflect on the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It teaches us that performing acts of goodness and kindness should not be contingent upon receiving recognition or appreciation from those we help. Instead, our motivation should stem from a genuine desire to please Allah and seek His pleasure.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that the true value of our good deeds lies in the sincerity and intention behind them. Even if our acts of kindness go unnoticed or unappreciated by others, they are not in vain. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is fully aware of our efforts and will reward us accordingly.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder to Muslims that our focus should not solely be on external validation or praise. Instead, we should strive to cultivate a deep sense of sincerity and humility in our actions, seeking only the pleasure of Allah. By doing so, we detach ourselves from the need for recognition and develop a stronger connection with our Creator.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the true value of our good deeds lies in the sincerity and intention behind them. We should not be discouraged if our acts of kindness go unnoticed or unappreciated by others. Our ultimate goal should be to seek the pleasure of Allah, for He is the All-Knowing and the All-Seeing. May Allah guide us to perform acts of goodness with pure intentions and grant us the ability to recognize the true value of our deeds.