Hadith #4305

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) highlights the profound concept of compassion and its consequences. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its important words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first word to focus on is (rahmah) "رَحْمَةُ", which means compassion, mercy, and kindness. It encompasses the act of showing love, care, and empathy towards others. The second word is (man la yarhamu) "مَنْ لا يَرْحَمُ", which refers to someone who does not show compassion or mercy to others. This person lacks empathy and fails to extend kindness and mercy to those in need.

The Hadith states that showing compassion to someone who does not reciprocate it prevents divine mercy. This implies that when we extend mercy and kindness to others, we open ourselves up to receiving the mercy and blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). However, if we withhold compassion from those who are deserving of it, we risk blocking the flow of divine mercy towards us.

This concept is beautifully supported by the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:160), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and guidance with others. By withholding knowledge, we are depriving others of the opportunity to benefit from it, and this act is condemned by Allah.

The second part of the Hadith states that sparing someone who does not spare others leads to the destruction of the nation. This refers to individuals who refuse to show mercy, forgiveness, and kindness to others, even when they themselves are in a position to do so. By failing to extend mercy, they contribute to a cycle of animosity and hostility, which ultimately leads to the downfall and destruction of society.

The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11) beautifully supports this notion, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or status. It warns against ridiculing and insulting others, as such behavior leads to division and animosity within society. By sparing others and refraining from engaging in harmful actions, we contribute to the unity and prosperity of the nation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of the importance of compassion and mercy in our interactions with others. It teaches us that by extending mercy to those who do not reciprocate it, we open ourselves up to receiving divine mercy. Conversely, by sparing those who do not spare others, we contribute to the destruction of society. Let us strive to embody the qualities of compassion and mercy, following the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be merciful and compassionate towards all of His creation.