Hadith #2431

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,

مَنْ مَنَّ بِإحْسانِهِ كَدَّرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who puts others under obligation for his favor, spoils it.

Let us now delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word "إحْسانِهِ" in the Hadith refers to an act of kindness, goodness, or favor done by an individual towards others. It encompasses acts of generosity, benevolence, and assistance. It is important to note that this act of kindness should be done solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and not expecting any worldly reward or recognition.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us that if one were to put others under obligation for their favor, it would spoil the act of kindness. This means that if someone were to remind others of the favor they have done or use it as a means of manipulation or control, the purity and sincerity of the act would be tainted. The act of kindness should be done selflessly, without any expectation of gratitude or repayment from the recipient.

The Quran provides us with guidance on the importance of sincerity and selflessness in our acts of kindness. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 3:92)

You will never attain righteousness until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.

This verse emphasizes the importance of giving for the sake of Allah, without expecting anything in return.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Insan, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the righteous individuals who feed the poor, the orphan, and the captive, saying, (Quran 76:9)

We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.

This verse highlights the selflessness and sincerity of those who perform acts of kindness solely for the sake of Allah, without seeking any worldly gain or recognition.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to purify their intentions and ensure that their acts of kindness are done solely for the pleasure of Allah. When we put others under obligation for our favors, we risk diluting the purity of our actions and seeking validation from people rather than seeking the pleasure of Allah.

By spoiling our acts of kindness through reminders or expectations, we not only lose the reward from Allah, but we also damage the relationship between ourselves and the recipient of our favor. Instead, we should strive to emulate the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who performed acts of kindness without expecting anything in return, and who sought only the pleasure of Allah.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to perform acts of kindness selflessly, without putting others under obligation or seeking worldly gain. We should strive to purify our intentions and seek the pleasure of Allah in all our actions. May Allah guide us to be sincere in our acts of kindness and grant us the ability to emulate the noble qualities of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).