Hadith #2490

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, and his noble companions.

The Arabic word in the provided Hadith that requires clarification is (ma'ruf) "مَعْرُوف", which can be translated as "benevolence," "goodness," or "kindness." This word encompasses acts of virtue, righteousness, and generosity. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to show our acts of kindness to those who do not appreciate or understand their value.

To understand the depth and significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds and showing kindness to others. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 83, Allah says,

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse highlights the obligation of performing acts of kindness towards various individuals, including parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 2, Allah says,

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

This verse emphasizes the importance of cooperating in acts of righteousness and goodness. It encourages Muslims to come together and support one another in performing virtuous deeds.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in the Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran. He advises us not to waste our benevolence on those who do not appreciate or understand its value. This does not mean that we should withhold our acts of kindness altogether, but rather, we should be discerning in choosing the recipients of our benevolence. We should prioritize those who will truly benefit from our acts of goodness and who will reciprocate with gratitude and understanding.

For example, if we have the means to help someone in need, we should prioritize those who are genuinely deserving and who will utilize our assistance wisely. This could be someone who is struggling financially, a student in need of educational support, or a person facing a difficult situation. By directing our benevolence towards those who truly appreciate and understand its value, we ensure that our acts of kindness have a lasting impact and bring about positive change.

Moreover, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice serves as a reminder for us to be mindful of our intentions when performing acts of goodness. Our acts of kindness should not be driven by a desire for recognition or praise from others. Rather, they should be solely for the sake of pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure. This is emphasized in Surah Al-Insan, verse 9, where Allah says,

We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to be discerning in our acts of kindness and to prioritize those who will appreciate and understand their value. By doing so, we ensure that our acts of benevolence have a meaningful impact and are in line with the teachings of the Quran. May Allah guide us to perform acts of goodness with sincerity and wisdom.