Hadith #6403

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 righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The best of servants is one who is delighted when he does good and when he does evil, he repents.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of two key actions: being pleased with one's good deeds and seeking forgiveness for one's sins.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining the important words it contains. The word (ahsan) "أحْسَنَ" means "to do good" or

to excel in goodness.

It refers to performing righteous deeds and acts of kindness that are pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (istabshara) "اِسْتَبْشَرَ" means "to be delighted" or "to rejoice." It signifies the feeling of joy and contentment that one experiences when engaging in acts of righteousness.

On the other hand, the word (asa'a) "أساءَ" means "to do evil" or "to commit sins." It refers to actions that are displeasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and harmful to oneself and others. The word (istaghfara) "اِسْتَغْفَرَ" means "to seek forgiveness." It implies recognizing one's mistakes, feeling remorseful, and turning to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in repentance.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can refer to several Quranic verses that shed light on the concept of doing good, repentance, and seeking forgiveness. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195),

And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds and spending in the way of Allah. It highlights that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) loves those who engage in acts of goodness. Therefore, the first part of the Hadith, which encourages being delighted when doing good, aligns perfectly with this Quranic teaching.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also emphasizes the significance of repentance and seeking forgiveness in multiple verses. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:222), Allah says,

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.

This verse highlights that seeking forgiveness and repenting from our sins is an act that is beloved to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The second part of the Hadith, which emphasizes repentance when one does evil, is in complete harmony with this Quranic teaching. It encourages Muslims to recognize their mistakes, feel remorseful, and seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for their wrongdoings.

Reflecting on the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can understand that the best of servants are those who not only engage in acts of righteousness but also have a profound understanding of their own shortcomings. They take pleasure in doing good, recognizing that it brings them closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and earns His pleasure. Simultaneously, they are quick to seek forgiveness and repent when they fall into sin, understanding the importance of rectifying their mistakes and maintaining a strong relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their actions, seeking to improve themselves and their relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encourages us to be proactive in doing good deeds and to be humble and repentant when we make mistakes. By following the teachings of this Hadith, we can strive to become the best of servants, earning the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His forgiveness in all aspects of our lives.