Hadith #188

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of performing good actions and not expecting gratitude in return. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to be discouraged or disheartened if someone does not show gratitude for our good deeds. He reminds us that even if the person we help does not benefit from our actions, there may be others who will appreciate and be grateful for our kindness.

The word (yuzahhidannaka) "يُزَهِّدَنَّكَ" in the Hadith means

to prevent or discourage you.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions us not to let the lack of gratitude from others discourage us from performing good deeds. This is a reminder that our intentions and actions should be solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and not for the recognition or appreciation of others.

The word (ma'ruf) "مَعْرُوفِ" in the Hadith refers to acts of kindness, goodness, and righteousness. It encompasses all actions that are in accordance with the teachings of Islam and are beneficial to others. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to be discouraged from performing ma'ruf, even if we do not receive gratitude in return.

The word (shukr) "شُكْرِ" in the Hadith means gratitude or thankfulness. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the possibility that someone who does not benefit from our good actions may still express gratitude for them. This serves as a reminder that our good deeds have a wider impact than we may realize. Even if the immediate recipient does not appreciate our actions, others may witness them and be inspired to show gratitude.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further emphasizes the significance of gratitude by comparing it to the ingratitude of a denier. The ingratitude of a denier is a rejection of the blessings and favors bestowed upon them by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). On the other hand, the gratitude of a sincere and appreciative person can surpass the ingratitude of a denier. This highlights the importance of expressing gratitude and recognizing the blessings in our lives.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we can refer to several Quranic verses. In Surah Al-Imran (3:134), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who spend [in Allah's cause] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds, even in difficult circumstances, and highlights that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) loves those who do good.

In Surah Al-Imran (3:148), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And Allah loves the patient.

This verse encourages us to be patient in the face of ingratitude or lack of appreciation for our good deeds. It reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) loves those who remain steadfast and patient in their pursuit of goodness.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Maidah (5:93), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

There shall be no blame upon those who make a mistake concerning a prohibition after they have been warned, except for those who do wrong after that. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse reminds us that our intention and sincerity in performing good deeds are more important than the immediate outcome. Even if someone does not appreciate our actions, we will not be held accountable as long as our intentions were pure.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of performing good actions without expecting gratitude in return. We should not be discouraged if our acts of kindness go unnoticed or unappreciated. Our focus should be on pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure. The gratitude of a sincere and appreciative person can outweigh the ingratitude of a denier. Let us strive to be among those who do good, regardless of the response we receive, for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) loves those who do good. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform ma'ruf and remain steadfast in our pursuit of goodness.