Hadith #2526

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure and noble family, and his righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds without expecting any gratitude or recognition in return. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound saying and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (Give life to the benevolent act) "أحْيُوا المَعْرُوفَ" and (the sense of obligation) "المِنَّةَ". The word (Give life) "أحْيُوا" implies that we should not let our good deeds die or be forgotten. It is a call to continuously perform acts of kindness and righteousness, ensuring that they remain alive and impactful in society.

On the other hand, the word (the sense of obligation) "المِنَّةَ" refers to the expectation of gratitude or recognition for our good deeds. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to "kill" this sense of obligation, meaning that we should not perform good deeds solely for the purpose of receiving praise or appreciation. Instead, our intentions should be solely for the sake of pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure.

This teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Insan (76:9),

We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish for no reward from you, nor thanks.

This verse emphasizes that our acts of kindness and benevolence should be solely for the sake of Allah, without any expectation of reward or gratitude from others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:272), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

It is not required of you to give them a full account of what you have spent. But if you give them a gift, it is better for you if you only knew.

This verse highlights the importance of concealing our acts of charity and not seeking recognition or praise for them. It is a reminder that our good deeds should be performed sincerely, without any desire for worldly recognition.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice to "kill" the sense of obligation is a profound reminder for us as Muslims. When we perform acts of kindness, we should not let our hearts be attached to the gratitude or appreciation of others. Instead, we should focus on pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone and seeking His pleasure.

By doing so, we free ourselves from the shackles of seeking validation from others and develop a sincere and pure intention in our actions. Our good deeds become a means of spiritual growth and a source of reward from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Moreover, when we perform acts of kindness without expecting anything in return, we cultivate a sense of selflessness and humility, which are highly valued qualities in Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of performing good deeds sincerely, without seeking recognition or gratitude from others. It reminds us to give life to our benevolent acts by detaching ourselves from any sense of obligation. By doing so, we can attain spiritual growth, develop selflessness, and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody this teaching in our lives and purify our intentions.