Hadith #2467

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

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

مَنْ أنْعَمَ عَلَى الكَفُورِ طالَ غَيْظُهُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

One who bestows a favor on the ungrateful one prolongs his rage.

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word (an'am) "أنعم" means to bestow or grant a favor. The word (alkafur) "الكفور" refers to the ungrateful or the one who denies or rejects the favors bestowed upon them. The word (taala) "طال" means to prolong or extend, and (ghaithuhu) "غيظه" refers to anger or rage.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Ibrahim, verse 7:

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'

This verse emphasizes the importance of gratitude and warns against ingratitude. It highlights that gratitude leads to an increase in blessings, while denial and ingratitude result in severe consequences.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 152, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

This verse reminds us to remember Allah, be grateful to Him, and not deny His favors upon us. It emphasizes the reciprocal nature of gratitude, where Allah promises to remember and bless those who remember and are grateful to Him.

Now, let us reflect on the exegesis of the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). This Hadith teaches us about the consequences of bestowing favors upon those who are ungrateful. When we do good to someone who fails to appreciate or acknowledge our kindness, their ingratitude can lead to prolonged anger and resentment. Despite our efforts to show kindness, their ungratefulness may cause them to harbor negative emotions towards us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of recognizing the ungratefulness of others and being cautious in our interactions. While it is praiseworthy to be kind and generous, we should be mindful of those who consistently fail to appreciate our efforts. By understanding this Hadith, we can protect ourselves from unnecessary harm and disappointment.

For instance, if we continuously lend money to someone who never repays or show kindness to someone who never reciprocates, we may find ourselves feeling frustrated and angry. This prolonged anger can negatively impact our mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, this Hadith serves as a reminder to be discerning in our acts of kindness and to avoid enabling ungrateful behavior.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the consequences of bestowing favors upon the ungrateful. It urges us to be mindful of those who consistently fail to appreciate our kindness and warns against prolonging our anger in such situations. By understanding this Hadith and reflecting upon the Quranic verses that emphasize gratitude, we can navigate our interactions with wisdom and protect ourselves from unnecessary harm. May Allah guide us to be grateful and discerning in our actions.