Hadith #9178

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

The noble-minded person raises himself above [the expectation of] rewards in everything good that he does.

This Hadith highlights the virtue of selflessness and the importance of performing good deeds solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (karim) "كَرِيم" in Arabic refers to someone who possesses noble qualities, such as generosity, kindness, and honor. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the noble-minded person as one who raises himself above the expectation of rewards. This means that they do not perform good deeds with the intention of seeking worldly gains or recognition. Instead, their motivation lies solely in pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure.

This concept of performing good deeds for the sake of Allah alone is emphasized throughout the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 272:

It is not required of you to turn your faces towards the east or the west, but [true] piety 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; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincerity in performing good deeds. True piety lies in believing in Allah and fulfilling His commands, while also being selfless in giving wealth to those in need. The noble-minded person, as described in the Hadith, embodies this concept of selflessness and sincerity in their actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Insan, verse 8, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive.

This verse highlights the act of giving food to those in need, even when one desires it for themselves. The noble-minded person, mentioned in the Hadith, goes beyond this act of giving and extends their selflessness to all aspects of their life.

The consequences of embodying the qualities described in this Hadith are profound. By raising oneself above the expectation of rewards, the noble-minded person attains a higher level of spirituality and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Their intentions are pure, and their actions are solely for the sake of Allah. This sincerity and selflessness bring about a sense of peace and contentment in their hearts.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of purifying our intentions and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do. We should strive to be noble-minded individuals who perform good deeds solely for the sake of Allah, without expecting any worldly rewards. This selflessness and sincerity will not only bring us closer to Allah, but it will also inspire others to follow in our footsteps and strive for excellence in their own actions.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the qualities of the noble-minded person described in this Hadith. May He purify our intentions and grant us the strength to perform good deeds solely for His sake. Ameen.