Hadith #10740

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

The worst person is one who repays good with evil while the best of people is one who repays evil with good.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (kafi) "كافى" means to respond or to repay, while (al-jameel) "الجَمِيلِ" refers to that which is beautiful or good. On the other hand, (al-qabeel) "القَبِيحِ" denotes that which is ugly or evil. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) uses these contrasting terms to highlight the stark difference between two types of individuals.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Fussilat (41:34),

Good and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is better. Then the one who was your enemy will become your dearest friend.

This verse emphasizes the importance of responding to evil with goodness, as it has the power to transform animosity into friendship.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) instructs the believers,

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse encourages Muslims to treat even those who may not share their faith with kindness and justice.

The exegesis of this Hadith reveals several important lessons for Muslims. Firstly, it reminds us of the importance of responding to good with gratitude and appreciation. When someone does something good for us, it is our duty to reciprocate that kindness and not take it for granted. This fosters a culture of gratitude and strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the Muslim community.

Secondly, this Hadith teaches us the virtue of patience and forgiveness. When faced with evil or harm, our immediate response should not be one of retaliation or revenge. Instead, we should strive to respond with patience, forgiveness, and kindness. This is in line with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the value of forgiveness and the reward that awaits those who forgive others.

Moreover, this Hadith highlights the importance of maintaining good character and moral conduct, even in the face of adversity. It is easy to be kind and generous when others treat us well, but the true test of our character lies in how we respond to those who treat us poorly. By repaying evil with good, we not only uphold our own moral integrity but also have the potential to positively influence others and bring about positive change in society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to always strive to be among the best of people. By repaying evil with good, we embody the teachings of the Quran and the noble example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. Let us reflect upon this Hadith and strive to emulate its teachings in our daily lives, so that we may earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and become a source of goodness and inspiration for others.