Hadith #2395

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the 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,

رَبُّ المَعْرُوفِ أحْسَنُ مِنْ إبْتِدَائِهِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Nurturing a good turn is better than starting it.

Let us delve into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

In this Hadith, there are two important words that require our attention. The first word is (ma'ruf) "مَعْرُوفِ", which can be translated as "goodness" or "good turn." It refers to any act of kindness, charity, or righteousness that is recognized as virtuous and beneficial in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The second word is (ibtida'ihi) "إبْتِدَائِهِ", which means "starting it" or "initiating it." It signifies the act of beginning a good deed or performing a virtuous action.

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

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety).

This verse emphasizes the importance of nurturing and cultivating piety within ourselves. Similarly, nurturing a good turn, as mentioned in the Hadith, implies that it is not enough to merely start a good deed, but it is crucial to sustain and develop it over time.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states 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].

This verse highlights the significance of consistent and continuous acts of charity and kindness. It is not enough to perform a single act of goodness; rather, we should strive to nurture and sustain these acts throughout our lives.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions. Starting a good deed is commendable, but it is the ongoing commitment and dedication to nurturing that good deed that truly matters. For example, if we initiate a charitable project, it is not enough to donate once; we must continue to support and nurture it to ensure its long-term impact.

This Hadith also reminds us of the importance of intention and sincerity in our actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177),

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

This verse teaches us that true righteousness lies in the sincerity of our actions and the purity of our intentions. Nurturing a good turn requires us to continuously purify our intentions and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of nurturing and sustaining acts of goodness. It reminds us that it is not enough to simply start a good deed; we must continue to develop and cultivate it over time. By doing so, we demonstrate our sincerity, strengthen our intentions, and ensure the long-term impact of our actions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to nurture and sustain our acts of goodness and make them a source of perpetual blessings.