Hadith #11282

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the power and effectiveness of giving gifts in various situations. Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith and explore their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first word to examine is (istu'tifa) "استُعْطِفَ", which means

to gain the favor or mercy of someone.

This word emphasizes the ability of a gift to soften the heart of a ruler or a person in authority. The Quran supports this concept in Surah Yusuf (12:36) when the brothers of Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) sought his forgiveness for their past actions. They sent gifts to him, hoping to gain his favor and mercy. Similarly, giving a gift to a ruler or a person in authority can help create goodwill and open doors for positive interactions.

The second word is (istusilla) "استُسِلَّ", which means

to quell or pacify the anger of someone.

This word highlights the power of a gift to calm the rage of an enraged person. The Quranic example that comes to mind is the story of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his people. When they plotted to throw him into the fire, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commanded the fire to be cool and peaceful for Ibrahim (21:69). This incident teaches us that a gift, given with sincerity and wisdom, can help diffuse anger and bring about reconciliation.

The third word is (istumila) "استُمِيلَ", which means

to attract or draw back someone who has deserted or turned away.

This word highlights the power of a gift to bring back those who have distanced themselves. In the Quran, we find the example of the Prodigal Son (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:266), where a person who had turned away from his family and wealth was eventually drawn back through kindness and generosity. Similarly, a well-timed and thoughtful gift can help bridge gaps and rebuild broken relationships.

The fourth word is (istunjihat) "استُنْجِحَتْ", which means

to make difficult matters easy.

This word emphasizes the ability of a gift to alleviate hardships and make challenging situations more manageable. In Surah Al-Insan (76:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the rewards and blessings awaiting the righteous in Paradise, where they will be given

cups of wine from a flowing spring

as a gift. This imagery suggests that gifts can bring comfort and relief, transforming difficulties into ease.

The fifth word is (istudfi'at) "استُدْفِعَتِ", which means

to keep wickedness or evil at bay.

This word highlights the preventive power of a gift in warding off harm or evil. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90) that intoxicants and gambling are tools of Satan, causing enmity and hatred among people. By refraining from these vices and instead giving gifts, we can promote harmony and protect ourselves from the evils that may arise from them.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) thought-provoking words in this Hadith teach us the immense value of giving gifts in various situations. Whether it is to gain favor, pacify anger, attract those who have distanced themselves, ease difficulties, or ward off evil, a well-chosen and sincere gift can have a transformative impact. It is a means of expressing love, fostering unity, and strengthening relationships within the Muslim community.

As Muslims, we should reflect on the wisdom of this Hadith and strive to incorporate the practice of giving gifts into our lives. By doing so, we can emulate the noble qualities of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bless us with the understanding and ability to implement the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt in our daily lives.