Hadith #2406

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,

ظَلَمَ المَعْرُوفَ مَنْ وَضَعَهُ في غَيْرِ أهْلِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

He who does a good turn to those who are undeserving of it has oppressed it.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (zalam) "ظَلَمَ" means to oppress or wrong someone. (al-ma'ruf) "المَعْرُوفَ" refers to acts of kindness, goodness, or righteousness. (wada'ahu) "وَضَعَهُ" means to place or bestow something upon someone. And (ghayr ahl) "غَيْرِ أهْلِهِ" means those who are undeserving or not worthy of receiving the good deed.

To understand the profound wisdom behind 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, without seeking any personal gain or benefit. It highlights the significance of directing our acts of kindness to those who truly deserve them.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 80, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

And when We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when evil touches him, then he is full of extensive supplication.

This verse reminds us of the ingratitude of some individuals who, when they receive blessings and favors, turn away and fail to appreciate them. They do not acknowledge the goodness bestowed upon them and instead distance themselves from it.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder to Muslims. It teaches us that performing acts of kindness and goodness should be done with wisdom and discernment. We should not bestow our good deeds upon those who are undeserving or unappreciative, as it would be an injustice to the act of goodness itself. By doing so, we would be oppressing the very essence of the good deed.

For example, if someone consistently displays dishonesty and deceit, it would not be wise to trust them with important responsibilities or to bestow favors upon them. By doing so, we would be enabling their negative behavior and oppressing the value of honesty and integrity. Instead, it is important to direct our acts of kindness towards those who genuinely appreciate and benefit from them, as this upholds the true essence of goodness.

Moreover, this Hadith also highlights the importance of discernment and wisdom in our interactions with others. It encourages us to assess the worthiness and deservingness of individuals before extending our acts of kindness towards them. This does not mean that we should withhold goodness from others, but rather, it reminds us to be mindful of the consequences and impact of our actions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be discerning and wise in their acts of kindness. It teaches us the importance of directing our good deeds towards those who truly deserve them, as this upholds the true essence of goodness. By doing so, we ensure that our acts of kindness have a positive and meaningful impact, rather than being wasted or oppressed. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and understanding to apply this valuable lesson in our lives.