Hadith #2285

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,

أحْسِنْ إلَى المُسيءِِ تَمْلِكْهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Be good to the evildoer and you will dominate him.

This wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) holds deep wisdom and guidance for Muslims.

Let us first delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. (ahsin) "أحْسِنْ" means to do good or to excel in goodness. (ila) "إلَى" means towards or to. (almusii) "المُسيءِ" refers to the evildoer or the one who harms or wrongs others. And (tamlikhu) "تَمْلِكْهُ" means to dominate or have control over someone.

To understand the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Fussilat (41:34),

And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.

This verse emphasizes the importance of responding to evil with goodness. When faced with someone who harms or wrongs us, our natural inclination may be to retaliate or seek revenge. However, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us to repel evil with that which is better. By responding to evil with goodness, we have the opportunity to change the dynamics of the situation and potentially transform an enemy into a friend.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes this Quranic principle. When he advises us to be good to the evildoer, he is urging us to respond to their negativity with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. This approach has the power to not only disarm the evildoer but also to establish our dominance over them.

To further understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, we can also refer to Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:96), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Repel, by [means of] what is best, [their] evil. We are most knowing of what they describe.

This verse reinforces the idea that responding to evil with goodness is the most effective way to counteract it. By choosing to be good to those who harm us, we demonstrate our strength and resilience. We show that we are not easily swayed by negativity and that we possess a higher moral ground. This approach also allows us to maintain control over the situation and prevent it from escalating further.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith is not only practical but also rooted in his profound knowledge and understanding of human nature. By responding to the evildoer with kindness, we break the cycle of negativity and create an opportunity for positive change. Our actions have the potential to inspire reflection and remorse in the evildoer, leading them to reconsider their harmful behavior.

Furthermore, being good to the evildoer does not mean condoning their actions or becoming a passive victim. It means responding with wisdom and righteousness, while also taking appropriate measures to protect ourselves and others from harm. This approach requires strength of character, patience, and a deep understanding of the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the power of goodness in overcoming evil. By choosing to be good to those who harm us, we not only establish our dominance over them but also create an opportunity for positive change. This approach aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of responding to evil with that which is better. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to implement this guidance in our lives as Muslims.