Hadith #2436

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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 لَمْ يَتَفَضَّلْ لَمْ يَنْبُلْ۔

This can be translated into English as,

One who does not bestow favours will not achieve nobility.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful Hadith in light of the teachings of the Quran. The word (tafaddal) "تَفَضَّلْ" in the Hadith refers to the act of bestowing favors or showing kindness and generosity towards others. It encompasses acts of benevolence, charity, and selflessness. The word (nabul) "نَبُلْ" means achieving nobility or honor.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of kindness, generosity, and selflessness in attaining true nobility. It teaches us that true honor and nobility are not attained through wealth, power, or social status, but rather through acts of kindness and generosity towards others. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the virtues of charity, compassion, and selflessness.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177),

It is not righteousness 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 highlights the importance of giving wealth to those in need and fulfilling promises. It emphasizes that true righteousness lies in acts of charity and fulfilling one's obligations. By bestowing favors upon others, we not only fulfill our duty towards them but also elevate our own status in the sight of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 selflessness and sincerity of those who give food to the needy, orphan, and captive. They do so solely for the sake of Allah, seeking no reward or gratitude from those they help. This exemplifies the spirit of bestowing favors without expecting anything in return, which is a key aspect of achieving nobility.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that true nobility lies in selfless acts of kindness and generosity. When we bestow favors upon others, we not only uplift their lives but also elevate our own character and status in the sight of Allah. By embodying the values of compassion, charity, and selflessness, we become true examples of Islam and fulfill our purpose as Muslims.

Let us strive to follow the teachings of the Quran and the noble example set by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) by actively seeking opportunities to bestow favors upon others. By doing so, we can attain true nobility and earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and enable us to embody the virtues of kindness, generosity, and selflessness.