Hadith #240

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) addresses Kumayl and advises him to encourage his people to engage in noble actions during the day and to fulfill the needs of those who are in need during the night. The Imam emphasizes the importance of performing acts of kindness and generosity, and he assures Kumayl that Allah will reward such actions with a special blessing.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this hadith to gain a better understanding of its meaning and significance. The Imam begins by saying,

O Kumayl, direct your people to go out in the day to achieve noble traits.

Here, the word "noble traits" refers to virtuous actions and good deeds that bring about positive change in society. It encompasses acts of charity, kindness, justice, and compassion. The Imam is urging Kumayl to inspire his community to actively engage in these noble traits during the daylight hours.

To support this advice, we find numerous verses in the Quran that emphasize the importance of performing good deeds. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177),

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

This verse highlights the significance of acts of charity and generosity in attaining righteousness.

Furthermore, the Imam advises Kumayl to go out during the night to meet the needs of those who might be sleeping. This act of selflessness and service to others is highly commendable. By attending to the needs of others, even while they are unaware or asleep, one demonstrates a deep sense of empathy and compassion. The Imam assures Kumayl that Allah will reward such actions by creating a special blessing for the one who pleases another's heart.

To understand the concept of Allah's special blessing, we can reflect on the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Inshirah (94:5-6), where Allah says,

Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

This verse reminds us that Allah's mercy and blessings are always present, and He provides relief and comfort to those who face hardships. When someone pleases another's heart, Allah creates a special source of solace and ease for that person. This blessing acts as a shield against difficulties and hardships, just as flowing water drives away wild camels.

The Imam's words in this hadith serve as a reminder for us as Muslims to actively engage in acts of kindness, generosity, and service to others. By doing so, we not only please the hearts of those around us but also earn the special blessings and protection of Allah. We should strive to emulate the noble traits of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was known for his profound knowledge and his unwavering commitment to justice and compassion.

May Allah guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and enable us to be a source of comfort and solace to those around us. Ameen.