Hadith #9230

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of ending our day's work with noble deeds and starting the night by fulfilling the needs of those who are asleep and unaware of our assistance. Let us delve into the exegesis of this wise utterance in light of the Quran.

The word (makarim) "مَكارِمِ" in the Hadith refers to noble or virtuous deeds. It encourages Muslims to strive for excellence in their actions and to engage in acts of goodness and righteousness. This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges Muslims to end their day's work with noble deeds, indicating the importance of consistently engaging in acts of righteousness and generosity. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 2, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.

Furthermore, the Hadith instructs Muslims to

fulfill the needs of the one who is asleep.

This highlights the importance of helping others, even when they are unaware of our assistance. It encourages Muslims to be selfless and compassionate, seeking to alleviate the burdens of others without expecting anything in return. This concept is beautifully emphasized in the Quran in Surah Al-Isra, verse 80, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when you give your word, do it justice, even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the covenant of Allah. This He has instructed you that you may remember.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that by fulfilling the needs of others, we not only demonstrate kindness and compassion but also strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and unity within the Muslim community. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 10, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, the believers are brothers, so make peace between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we understand that our actions have consequences beyond what we can perceive. By engaging in noble deeds and fulfilling the needs of others, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. We should strive to end each day by reflecting on our actions and seeking ways to improve ourselves, and begin each night by extending a helping hand to those in need, even if they are unaware of our assistance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to end their day's work with noble deeds and to fulfill the needs of others, even when they are unaware of our assistance. It emphasizes the importance of engaging in acts of righteousness and compassion, as well as the significance of selflessness and unity within the Muslim community. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our daily lives and strive for excellence in our actions.