Hadith #9893

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, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "المن يفسد الإحسان", which can be translated as

Obligation corrupts the favor.

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

The word (ihsan) "إحسان" in this Hadith refers to acts of kindness, goodness, and favor that one does for others. It encompasses acts of charity, benevolence, and going above and beyond in fulfilling the needs of others. It is a concept that is highly emphasized in Islam, as it reflects the highest level of righteousness and moral excellence.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us that when acts of kindness and favor become obligatory, they lose their true essence and are no longer sincere. Obligation can lead to a sense of duty rather than a genuine desire to help others. When we are compelled to do something, the purity of our intentions may be compromised, and our actions may become superficial and lacking in sincerity.

To understand this concept further, let us turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 2:256)

There is no compulsion in religion

This verse emphasizes the importance of voluntary acts of worship and the freedom to choose. Similarly, when it comes to acts of kindness and favor, they should also be done willingly and without any sense of obligation.

Another verse that sheds light on this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Insan, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the righteous believers, saying, (Quran 76:8-9)

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude'

Here, we see that the believers give out of love for Allah, seeking His pleasure alone, without any expectation of reward or gratitude from others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for us to reflect on our intentions when performing acts of kindness. Are we doing it out of genuine love and compassion for others, or are we merely fulfilling an obligation? Are we seeking recognition and praise from others, or are we seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone?

When acts of kindness become obligatory, they lose their true essence and sincerity. Obligation can lead to a sense of entitlement and expectation of reciprocation, which taints the purity of our intentions. True acts of kindness should be done willingly, without any expectation of reward or gratitude from others, solely seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us strive to purify our intentions and perform acts of kindness with sincerity and selflessness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be among those who do good deeds solely for His sake, and may He accept our efforts and grant us His mercy and blessings.