Hadith #9255

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

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

Doing good to an ingrate is from the greatest of crimes.

Let us delve into the meaning of this statement and explore its implications in the light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (istina'u) "اِصْطِناعُ" means "doing good" or

performing acts of kindness.

The word (alkafur) "الكَفُورِ" refers to "an ingrate" or

someone who is ungrateful.

And the phrase (min a'zami al-jurmi) "مِنْ أعْظَمِ الجُرْمِ" translates to

from the greatest of crimes.

To understand the gravity of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of gratitude in numerous verses. In Surah Ibrahim, Allah says, (Quran 14:7)

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 significance of gratitude and warns against ingratitude. It implies that ingratitude is a rejection of Allah's blessings and can lead to severe consequences. Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah states, (Quran 2:152)

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

From these verses, we can understand that gratitude is not only a moral virtue but also a means to receive further blessings from Allah. Conversely, ingratitude is a rejection of these blessings and can lead to punishment.

Now, let us reflect on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic teachings. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that doing good to an ingrate is considered one of the greatest crimes.

When we perform acts of kindness towards someone who is ungrateful, we are essentially enabling their ingratitude and reinforcing their negative behavior. This not only perpetuates their ungrateful attitude but also undermines the value of gratitude itself. By continuing to do good to an ingrate, we inadvertently contribute to their moral decline and the deterioration of society as a whole.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to be discerning in our actions and to prioritize those who appreciate and acknowledge our kindness. This does not mean that we should withhold goodness from those who are ungrateful, but rather, we should be mindful of the consequences and focus our efforts on those who will truly benefit from our acts of kindness.

By directing our kindness towards those who are grateful, we not only reinforce positive behavior but also create a virtuous cycle of gratitude and appreciation. This fosters a sense of harmony and unity within society, as people learn to value and reciprocate acts of kindness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for us as Muslims. It highlights the importance of gratitude and cautions against enabling ingratitude. By prioritizing those who appreciate our kindness, we can contribute to the cultivation of a grateful and harmonious society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to always be grateful and discerning in our actions.