Hadith #9900

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his noble family, the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ), and his righteous companions.

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

ظَلَمَ المُرُوءَةَ مَنْ مَنَّ بِصنيعِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who puts an obligation [on others] by his good action has oppressed magnanimity.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this amazing Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (zalam) "ظَلَمَ" in this Hadith refers to oppression or injustice. It signifies an act of wrongdoing or transgression against someone's rights. (al-muroo'ah) "المُرُوءَةَ" refers to magnanimity, nobility, or generosity. It represents the quality of being honorable and virtuous. Lastly, (sani'ihi) "صنيعِهِ" means one's own actions or deeds.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286),

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse emphasizes the concept of individual responsibility and accountability. Each person is accountable for their own actions and is not burdened with the deeds of others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:15), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it.

This verse highlights the fact that the consequences of our actions, whether good or bad, ultimately affect our own souls. We are responsible for our own choices and their outcomes.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincerity and selflessness in our good actions. When we perform acts of kindness or righteousness with the intention of obligating others, we are essentially oppressing the very essence of magnanimity. True magnanimity lies in selflessly serving others without expecting anything in return.

For example, if a person helps someone in need, but does so with the intention of later using that favor as leverage or expecting something in return, they have oppressed magnanimity. Their good action becomes tainted with selfish motives and loses its true essence. This is contrary to the teachings of Islam, which encourage selfless acts of kindness and charity.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that our intentions behind our actions are crucial. We should strive to perform good deeds solely for the sake of pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure. Our focus should be on the betterment of our own souls and the well-being of others, rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of sincerity and selflessness in our good actions. It warns against using our acts of kindness as a means to obligate others or seek personal gain. True magnanimity lies in serving others without expecting anything in return, solely for the sake of pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure. May we all strive to embody the true essence of magnanimity in our actions and intentions.