Hadith #9916

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he addresses the (أهْلَ المَعْرُوفِ والإحْسانِ)

people of goodness and beneficence

and advises them not to seek gratitude or put others under obligation through their acts of kindness. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that acts of goodness and beneficence should be done solely for the sake of Allah, without expecting anything in return.

To fully understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some important words. (المَعْرُوفِ) "Ma'ruf" refers to acts of goodness, righteousness, and kindness that are universally recognized and approved. It encompasses all actions that are in accordance with the teachings of Islam and are beneficial to individuals and society as a whole. (الإحْسانِ) "Ihsan", on the other hand, refers to acts of excellence and going above and beyond what is required. It is the highest level of righteousness and encompasses acts of kindness, generosity, and sincerity.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions against seeking gratitude or putting others under obligation through our acts of goodness. This is because when we expect something in return for our good deeds, it diminishes the sincerity and purity of our intentions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in the Quran:

(Quran 6:162)

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'

This verse highlights the importance of performing acts of worship and goodness solely for the sake of Allah. When we seek gratitude or put others under obligation, our intentions become tainted by seeking worldly rewards and recognition, rather than seeking the pleasure of Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that acts of goodness and beneficence can be nullified by the repulsiveness of putting others under obligation. When we expect gratitude or favors in return for our acts of kindness, it creates a sense of indebtedness in the recipient. This can lead to feelings of discomfort, resentment, or even a sense of obligation to reciprocate, which may not always be possible. This negates the true essence of goodness and beneficence, which is to selflessly help others without any expectation of return.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in the Quran:

(Quran 76:8-9)

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'

This verse highlights the importance of selfless giving and providing for those in need without expecting any reward or gratitude. When we perform acts of goodness solely for the sake of Allah, it purifies our intentions and ensures that our actions are sincere and pleasing to Him.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to purify their intentions and seek the pleasure of Allah in all their actions. It teaches us that true acts of goodness and beneficence should be done selflessly, without expecting anything in return. By doing so, we elevate our actions to the level of ihsan, striving for excellence in our worship and interactions with others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of sincerity in our acts of kindness. It is not enough to simply perform good deeds; we must also purify our intentions and ensure that our actions are solely for the sake of Allah. By doing so, we can attain the highest level of righteousness and strive to emulate the noble qualities of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), particularly his deep knowledge and understanding of Islam.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform acts of goodness and beneficence sincerely, seeking only His pleasure. May we strive to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and embody the qualities of selflessness and sincerity in all aspects of our lives. Ameen.