Hadith #9898

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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:

بِكَثْرَةِ المَنِّ تُكَدَّرُ الصَّنيعَةُ۔

This can be translated as:

By putting a lot of obligation, the good action is spoilt.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (kathrat) "كَثْرَةِ" means abundance or excessive amount. (al-mann) "المَنِّ" refers to obligation or burden. (tukaddar) "تُكَدَّرُ" means to spoil or corrupt. And finally, (as-sani'ah) "الصَّنيعَةُ" refers to good actions or deeds.

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

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

This verse emphasizes that Allah does not impose excessive obligations or burdens upon His servants. He knows our capabilities and does not burden us beyond our capacity.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 42, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (7:42)

And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning).

This verse highlights that Allah, out of His mercy and justice, does not hold us accountable for actions or obligations that we were not aware of or were not guided towards.

Based on these Quranic verses, we can understand the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It warns us against burdening ourselves and others with excessive obligations or religious practices that go beyond the limits set by Allah. While it is important to perform good actions and fulfill our religious duties, we must be mindful not to overwhelm ourselves or others with an excessive amount of obligations.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that when we impose too many obligations upon ourselves or others, the essence and sincerity of our good actions can be compromised. The intention behind our deeds may become diluted, and we may find ourselves performing them merely out of a sense of duty rather than true devotion to Allah.

For example, if a person takes on numerous voluntary acts of worship, such as fasting every day or praying extra prayers throughout the night, but neglects their obligations towards their family, work, or community, then their good actions may lose their value. The excessive burden they have placed upon themselves has led to neglecting other important aspects of life, thereby spoiling the goodness of their actions.

Similarly, if a person imposes excessive religious obligations on others, without considering their capabilities or circumstances, it can lead to a sense of overwhelm and burnout. This can result in individuals feeling disconnected from their faith or performing actions without true sincerity.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for us to strike a balance in our religious practices. We should prioritize fulfilling our obligatory duties towards Allah, such as the five daily prayers, fasting in Ramadan, and giving Zakat. These obligations should be performed with sincerity and excellence.

At the same time, we should be mindful of our limitations and not burden ourselves or others with excessive obligations that may lead to neglecting other important aspects of life. Islam teaches us to maintain a holistic approach to our worship, encompassing our relationships, work, and community service.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of balance in our religious practices. By avoiding excessive burdens and obligations, we can ensure that our good actions are performed with sincerity and are not compromised. Let us strive to fulfill our obligations towards Allah while also fulfilling our responsibilities towards ourselves, our families, and our communities. May Allah guide us all on the path of moderation and acceptance.