Hadith #9719

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

It is from the completeness of magnanimity for you to forget your right upon others while recalling their right upon you.

This thought-provoking Hadith highlights the virtue of selflessness and the importance of prioritizing the rights of others over our own. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (completeness of magnanimity) "تَمَامِ المُرُوَّةِ", (forget) "تَنْسَى", (your right upon others) "الحَقَّ لَكَ", and (recall) "تَذْكُرَ".

The term "تَمَامِ المُرُوَّةِ" refers to the highest level of moral excellence and nobility. It encompasses qualities such as generosity, kindness, and selflessness. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his unparalleled knowledge and wisdom, emphasizes that true magnanimity lies in forgetting one's own rights while remembering the rights of others.

To understand the significance of this teaching, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:9):

And [also for] those who were settled in the Home [i.e., Al-Madinah] and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the selflessness and generosity of the Ansar (the residents of Madinah) towards the Muhajirun (the emigrants from Makkah). Despite their own needs and limitations, the Ansar gave preference to the Muhajirun and provided for them. This exemplifies the essence of magnanimity and selflessness, as Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the characteristics of the righteous believers:

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; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes the importance of giving wealth to those in need, even if it means sacrificing our own desires and attachments to material possessions. It teaches us that true righteousness lies in fulfilling the rights of others and being selfless in our actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaching in this Hadith encourages us to prioritize the rights of others over our own. It reminds us that true magnanimity lies in forgetting our own rights, while constantly remembering and fulfilling the rights of others. By doing so, we cultivate a spirit of selflessness, compassion, and generosity within ourselves.

Practically applying this teaching in our lives can have profound consequences. It can foster harmonious relationships, strengthen communities, and create a society based on justice and fairness. When we prioritize the rights of others, we contribute to the well-being of society as a whole.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the selflessness of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself. His knowledge and wisdom were not merely intellectual pursuits, but rather tools to serve and uplift humanity. He exemplified the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) through his actions, demonstrating the true essence of magnanimity and selflessness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of forgetting our own rights while remembering the rights of others. It emphasizes the virtue of selflessness and the significance of prioritizing the well-being of others. By reflecting on this teaching and implementing it in our lives, we can strive towards true magnanimity and contribute to a more just and compassionate society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody these noble qualities and follow the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).