Hadith #1963

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

عادَةُ الأغْمارِ قَطْعُ مَوادِّ الإحْسانِ۔

This can be translated as:

The habit of the inexperienced [and ignorant] ones is to cut off the elements of favor.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran. The word (aghmar) "أغْمارِ" refers to the inexperienced or ignorant individuals who lack knowledge and understanding. They are unaware of the importance of showing kindness and favor to others. The word (mawadd) "مَوادِّ" means the elements or components, and (al-ihsan) "الإحْسانِ" refers to acts of kindness, goodness, and favor.

The Quran emphasizes the significance of showing kindness and favor to others in numerous verses. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:83), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse highlights the importance of doing good to one's parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy. It also emphasizes the significance of speaking good words to people. By cutting off the elements of favor, the inexperienced and ignorant individuals mentioned in the Hadith fail to fulfill these obligations and neglect the acts of kindness that Allah has commanded.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

This verse emphasizes the importance of cooperation in righteousness and piety. It encourages Muslims to work together in acts of goodness and kindness. By cutting off the elements of favor, the inexperienced and ignorant individuals mentioned in the Hadith fail to cooperate in righteousness and piety, thereby missing out on the rewards and blessings that come with such actions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the dangers of neglecting acts of kindness and favor. It warns against adopting a habit of cutting off these elements, which can lead to a lack of compassion, empathy, and unity within the community.

When individuals fail to show kindness and favor, they create divisions and animosity among themselves. They become self-centered and focus solely on their own needs and desires, disregarding the well-being of others. This selfish behavior goes against the teachings of Islam, which emphasize the importance of caring for one another and fostering a sense of unity and brotherhood.

By cutting off the elements of favor, the inexperienced and ignorant individuals mentioned in the Hadith not only harm themselves but also hinder the progress and development of the Muslim community as a whole. They miss out on the opportunity to earn rewards from Allah and to contribute to the betterment of society.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims should strive to cultivate a habit of showing kindness and favor to others. They should seek knowledge and understanding to avoid falling into ignorance and inexperience. By doing so, they will not only fulfill their obligations as Muslims but also contribute to the unity, peace, and progress of the Ummah.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. May He grant us the wisdom and understanding to recognize the importance of showing kindness and favor to others, and may He bless us with the ability to implement these teachings in our lives.