Hadith #1035

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is a wise utterance that encompasses the essence of moral and ethical conduct in Islam. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its important words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (al-ma'ruf) "المعرُوفِ", which translates to "good" or "virtuous." It refers to actions that are recognized as morally upright and beneficial to individuals and society as a whole. The concept of "al-ma'ruf" is emphasized in the Quran in various verses. For example, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:83):

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.

The second important word in this Hadith is (al-munkar) "المُنْكَرِ", which means "evil" or "wrong." It refers to actions that are recognized as morally reprehensible and harmful to individuals and society. The Quran repeatedly condemns such actions and encourages Muslims to denounce and discourage them. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:157), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

The third important word in this Hadith is (wasila) "واصِلاً", which means "to build ties" or "to maintain relationships." It refers to the act of reaching out and establishing connections with those who have severed ties with us. This concept is beautifully highlighted in the Quran in Surah Al-Isra (17:23-24), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], 'uff,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'

The fourth important word in this Hadith is (mu'tiya) "مُعطِياً", which means "to give" or "to provide." It refers to the act of giving generously and selflessly to those who have deprived us. This concept is beautifully exemplified in the Quran in Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

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.'

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying encapsulates the essence of Islamic morality and ethics. It urges Muslims to actively promote goodness, discourage evil, maintain ties with those who have severed them, and give generously to those who have deprived them. By embodying these qualities, Muslims can contribute to the betterment of society and fulfill their responsibilities as servants of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself was a paragon of knowledge and wisdom. His deep understanding of the Quran and his exemplary character serve as an inspiration for Muslims of all generations. By following his teachings and emulating his conduct, we can strive to be individuals who invite towards good, dissuade from evil, build ties with those who cut us off, and give to those who deprive us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody these noble qualities and be a source of positive change in the world.