Hadith #9365

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

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

اللَّئِيمُ مَنْ كَثُرَ اِمْتِنانُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

The vile person is one who puts a lot of obligation [on others when he does any good to them].

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word (al-la'eem) "اللَّئِيمُ" refers to a person who is vile, wicked, or morally corrupt. It describes someone who lacks integrity and righteousness in their actions. The word (kathura) "كَثُرَ" means to increase or multiply. And (imtinanuhu) "اِمْتِنانُهُ" refers to the act of imposing excessive obligations or burdens on others when one does a favor or good deed for them.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 267:

O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.

This verse emphasizes the importance of giving in charity from what is good and pure, without any expectation of return or imposing burdens on others. It warns against giving from what is defective or expecting something in return, as this diminishes the sincerity and righteousness of the act. The vile person, as mentioned in the Hadith, is one who falls into this trap of imposing obligations on others when doing good deeds.

Another relevant verse is found in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 264:

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

This verse highlights the importance of sincerity in acts of charity and goodness. It warns against seeking recognition or imposing burdens on others while giving. Such actions are likened to a smooth stone covered in dust, which is washed away by a heavy rain, leaving it bare and devoid of any benefit. The vile person, as mentioned in the Hadith, is similar to this individual who seeks recognition and imposes obligations on others.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we understand that the vile person is one who lacks sincerity and righteousness in their actions. They may perform good deeds, but their intentions are tainted by the desire for recognition or the imposition of obligations on others. This behavior contradicts the teachings of Islam, which emphasize the importance of selflessness, sincerity, and humility in acts of goodness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, highlights the importance of avoiding such behavior. By reminding us of the vile person who imposes obligations on others, he encourages us to purify our intentions and perform acts of goodness solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for sincerity and righteousness in all their actions, seeking only the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).