Hadith #2523

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "أحْيِ مَعْرُوفَكَ بِإماتَتِهِ۔" which translates to

Give life to your good deed by killing it (i.e. by forgetting it).

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of sincerity and humility in our acts of righteousness.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words. The word "مَعْرُوفَكَ" refers to one's good deed or righteous action. It encompasses any act of kindness, charity, worship, or moral conduct that is in accordance with the teachings of Islam. The word "إماتَتِهِ" is derived from the root word "مَوْت" which means death. In this context, it signifies forgetting or concealing one's good deed.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 2:264)

And 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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our acts of charity. It warns against seeking recognition or praise from others, as it diminishes the value of our good deeds.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Ma'un, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 107:4-6)

So woe to those who pray [but] who are heedless of their prayer - those who make show [of their deeds].

This verse highlights the danger of performing acts of worship solely for the sake of showing off. It reminds us that true devotion and sincerity are essential for our deeds to be accepted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Now, let us delve into the significance of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. When he says,

Give life to your good deed by killing it,

he is urging us to detach ourselves from any attachment to our own acts of righteousness. We should not seek recognition, praise, or reward for our good deeds, but rather perform them solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By forgetting our good deeds and not dwelling on them, we prevent our ego from corrupting our intentions and tainting the purity of our actions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true sincerity lies in performing good deeds solely to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), without seeking any worldly recognition or reward. When we detach ourselves from the desire for praise or validation, our good deeds come to life and attain a higher level of purity and acceptance in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This selflessness and humility in our acts of righteousness is a reflection of the teachings of the Quran and the noble character of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize sincerity and humility in their acts of righteousness. By forgetting our good deeds and not seeking recognition, we give life to them and ensure their acceptance in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us strive to emulate the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and purify our intentions, so that our actions may truly be pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the ability to perform good deeds with sincerity and humility.