Hadith #9158

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

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

لَيْسَ مِنَ الكَرَمِ تَنْكِيدُ المِنَنِ (النِّعَمِ) بِالمَنِّ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

It is not from munificence to spoil the favours [one does to others] by [putting them under] obligation.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (karām) "كَرَمِ" refers to generosity and nobility. (tankīd) "تَنْكِيدُ" means to belittle or diminish, while (al-minan) "المِنَنِ" refers to the favors or blessings bestowed upon someone. Lastly, (bil-manni) "بِالمَنِّ" means by obligating or putting someone in debt.

To comprehend the connotation of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267),

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 the best of what we have earned. It warns against giving from what is defective or undesirable. Similarly, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith cautions against belittling the favors we bestow upon others by putting them under obligation. It highlights the significance of giving without expecting anything in return, without creating a sense of indebtedness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:272), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Not upon you, [O Muhammad], is [responsibility for] their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.

This verse reminds us that our acts of charity and kindness are ultimately for our own benefit. We should not seek recognition or gratitude from others, but rather seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith aligns with this principle, as it encourages us to give without expecting anything in return, without diminishing the favors we have done.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to embody true generosity and nobility. It teaches us to give selflessly, without creating a sense of obligation or expecting gratitude. By doing so, we preserve the purity and sincerity of our actions, ensuring that our acts of kindness are solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of giving without diminishing the favors we bestow upon others. It aligns with the Quranic teachings of giving from the best of what we have earned and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. As Muslims, let us strive to embody true generosity and nobility, giving selflessly and without expecting anything in return. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us on the path of righteousness and bless us with the ability to give sincerely for His sake.