Hadith #8137

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

No one gains forgiveness except he who reciprocates evil with good.

This beautiful saying emphasizes the importance of responding to wrongdoing with kindness and goodness. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The Arabic word (ghufran) "غُفْرانَ" in this Hadith refers to forgiveness. It is derived from the root word (ghafara) "غَفَرَ", which means to cover, conceal, or forgive. This word is frequently mentioned in the Quran, highlighting the mercy and forgiveness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah says,

Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.

The phrase (qabala al-isa'ata bil-ihsan) "قابَل الإساءَةَ بِالإحْسانِ" in the Hadith translates to

reciprocates evil with good.

It emphasizes the importance of responding to harm or wrongdoing with acts of kindness, benevolence, and righteousness. This concept is beautifully exemplified in the life of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who consistently displayed patience and forgiveness even in the face of adversity.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly encourages Muslims to respond to evil with goodness. In Surah Fussilat (41:34), Allah says,

And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.

This verse emphasizes the superiority of good deeds over bad deeds and encourages Muslims to respond to hostility with acts of kindness and compassion.

Furthermore, in Surah Ash-Shura (42:40-43), Allah advises Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to respond to the ignorant in a gentle manner, saying,

And the recompense of an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers. And whoever avenges himself after having been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame]. The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment.

The exegesis of this Hadith highlights the importance of responding to evil with good, forgiveness, and kindness. It teaches us that forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, but rather a manifestation of strength and righteousness. When we choose to respond to wrongdoing with goodness, we not only elevate our own character but also have the potential to positively impact the hearts and minds of others.

By reciprocating evil with good, we break the cycle of hatred and animosity, fostering an environment of peace, harmony, and understanding. This approach aligns with the teachings of Islam, which emphasize the importance of forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. It is a means to attain forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to cultivate a society based on justice and righteousness.

As Muslims, we should strive to embody the teachings of this Hadith in our daily lives. We should respond to acts of injustice or harm with patience, forgiveness, and acts of kindness. By doing so, we not only fulfill the commandments of Allah but also contribute to the betterment of our communities and the world at large.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to reciprocate evil with good, and may He shower His mercy and forgiveness upon us all.