Hadith #9356

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

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

اللَّئِيمُ يَرَى سَوَالِفَ إِحْسَانِهِ دَيْنًا لَهُ يَقْتَضِيهِ

This Hadith is a impactful saying made by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), highlighting the mindset and behavior of a vile person. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (al-la'eem) "اللَّئِيمُ" refers to a person who is vile, wicked, and morally corrupt. This individual lacks noble qualities and exhibits a lowly character. Such a person is self-centered and lacks empathy towards others. They are driven by their own desires and interests, often disregarding the rights and well-being of others.

The term (sawalif) "سَوَالِفَ" in this Hadith refers to the favors or acts of kindness that the vile person does for others. These favors may range from material assistance to emotional support. However, the vile person perceives these acts of kindness as (ihsanihi) "إِحْسَانِهِ", meaning that they view them as debts or obligations that others owe them. They expect repayment or gratitude for their actions, rather than performing them out of genuine kindness and selflessness.

This Hadith reminds us of the importance of sincerity and purity of intention in our actions. Islam teaches us that our deeds should be solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seeking His pleasure and not expecting any worldly reward or recognition. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran: (Quran 98:5)

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.

The vile person, on the other hand, has a distorted understanding of their actions. They see their acts of kindness as a means of gaining power and control over others. They use their favors as a tool to manipulate and exploit people, expecting something in return. This mindset is contrary to the teachings of Islam, which emphasize selflessness, humility, and genuine concern for others.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against such behavior in the Quran: (Quran 2:264)

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day.

This verse reminds us that our acts of charity and kindness should be done solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and not for the sake of showing off or expecting something in return.

The consequences of adopting the mindset of the vile person are detrimental both in this world and the Hereafter. In this world, such behavior creates a toxic environment where relationships are based on manipulation and self-interest. People are reluctant to seek help or support from the vile person, as they fear being indebted to them or being used for their personal gain.

In the Hereafter, the vile person will be held accountable for their actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran: (Quran 99:8)

And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.

The vile person will be questioned about their intentions and the true nature of their deeds. They will not be rewarded for their acts of kindness, as they were done with impure intentions and expectations of repayment.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded to purify our intentions and strive for sincerity in our actions. We should perform acts of kindness and favors for others solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), without expecting anything in return. This mindset fosters genuine love, compassion, and selflessness within our communities, creating an atmosphere of trust and harmony.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be sincere in our actions and protect us from adopting the mindset of the vile person. May He grant us the ability to perform acts of kindness and favors with pure intentions, seeking His pleasure alone. Ameen.