Hadith #2515

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إكْمالُ المَعْرُوفِ أحْسَنُ مِنْ إبْتِدائِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

Completing a good turn is better than starting it.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (Ikmaal) "إكْمالُ" means completion or fulfillment. (Al-Ma'ruf) "المَعْرُوفِ" refers to acts of goodness, righteousness, or acts that are known to be virtuous and praiseworthy. (Ahsan) "أحْسَنُ" means better or more excellent. (Ibtida'ihi) "إبْتِدائِهِ" means the beginning or initiation of a good deed.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 148:

So, race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.

This verse emphasizes the importance of striving towards good deeds and racing to perform acts of righteousness.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 2, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

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 highlights the significance of collaboration in performing acts of righteousness and goodness.

Now, let us reflect on the meaning of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The Hadith teaches us that while initiating a good deed is commendable, it is the completion of that good deed that holds greater value. It reminds us that it is not enough to merely start a good action; we must strive to see it through to its completion.

For example, imagine a person who begins building a mosque with great enthusiasm and dedication. However, if they abandon the project halfway, the mosque will remain incomplete and the community will be deprived of its benefits. On the other hand, if the person perseveres and completes the construction, the mosque will stand as a place of worship, benefiting generations to come. This illustrates the importance of completing a good deed rather than leaving it unfinished.

The Hadith also encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions. When we initiate a good deed, we may receive praise and recognition from others. However, if we fail to follow through and complete the deed, our initial efforts may be in vain. In contrast, when we complete a good deed, we not only receive the initial rewards but also the blessings and benefits that come with the fulfillment of that act.

Furthermore, this Hadith teaches us the importance of consistency and perseverance in our actions. It reminds us that true success lies not in sporadic acts of goodness, but in the consistent and steadfast performance of virtuous deeds. By completing good actions, we develop a habit of righteousness and strengthen our character.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that completing a good turn is better than merely starting it. It emphasizes the importance of seeing our good deeds through to their fulfillment, rather than leaving them incomplete. This Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and the value of consistency and perseverance in performing acts of righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to complete our good deeds and make them a source of continuous blessings and rewards.