Wisdom 6
The Reality of Human Deeds
Imam Ali (A.S.) said:
“Whoever is pleased with himself will have many who are displeased with him. Charity is an effective cure, and the deeds of people in this world will be placed before their eyes in the Hereafter.”
Keywords
Displeased (السَّاخِط): Angry, dissatisfied, or resentful.
Effective (مُنْجِح): Successful, beneficial, or effective.
This World (عَاجِلِهِم): The present life; the worldly life.
The Hereafter (آجِلِهِم): The life to come; the Hereafter.
Summary of Wisdom 6
In this wisdom, Imam Ali (A.S.) teaches three profound lessons.
First, self-admiration and arrogance lead to increasing opposition and resentment from others.
Second, charity is a powerful remedy that brings healing and protection from many hardships.
Finally, every deed performed in this worldly life will appear before its doer in the Hereafter. Nothing—whether good or evil—will ever be forgotten or lost.
Commentary
1. Self-Admiration Leads to Isolation
One of the most dangerous forms of arrogance is self-admiration (‘ujb).
According to numerous Islamic traditions, this destructive trait leads to spiritual ruin because a self-admiring person:
- Looks down on others with contempt.
- Exaggerates his own worth while ignoring his faults.
- Justifies his mistakes instead of correcting them.
- Believes himself superior to others and neglects their rights.
Such attitudes naturally distance people and cause resentment.
2. Charity Is a Healing Remedy
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & His Family) said:
“Treat your sick through charity.”
Charity benefits both the giver and the recipient. By relieving another person’s hardship, the believer receives Allah’s mercy and protection.
Islamic traditions teach that charity:
- Helps avert calamities.
- Protects against an evil death.
- Extinguishes Allah’s anger.
- Erases major sins.
- Makes the Day of Judgment easier.
For this reason, Imam Ali (A.S.) describes charity as “an effective cure.”
3. Human Deeds Will Be Manifested
The Qur’an and the traditions teach that every human action will become visible in the Hereafter.
At the moment of death and on the Day of Judgment, the realities of one’s deeds will be unveiled.
Allah says:
“You were certainly unaware of this, so We have removed your veil, and today your sight is sharp.” (Qur’an 50:22)
The final part of this wisdom points to the doctrine of the manifestation of deeds. Every righteous or sinful act will appear before its owner in a form appropriate to its reality.
The Qur’an declares:
“On the Day when every soul will find before it whatever good it has done and whatever evil it has committed…” (Qur’an 3:30)
For example:
- Backbiting will appear like eating the flesh of one’s own believing brother.
- Consuming usury or unlawfully taking the property of orphans will appear as consuming fire.
Practical Lessons
1. Charity Brings Blessings
We should regard charity as one of the most effective means of:
- Seeking healing.
- Removing hardships.
- Increasing provision.
- Lengthening one’s life.
- Attaining a good ending.
- Easing accountability in the Hereafter.
- Earning Allah’s pleasure.
Charity is not limited to financial donations. Every beneficial deed—including helping others, spreading beneficial knowledge, educating people, and promoting authentic religious teachings—is a form of charity.
2. Live as Though Every Action Is Being Recorded
If people constantly remembered that every action would one day be displayed before them, they would behave with far greater care.
Since all our deeds will appear before us in the Hereafter, we should strive to make every action worthy of meeting Allah.
3. Be Humble Before Allah
A true believer always maintains hope in Allah’s mercy while remaining cautious about his own shortcomings.
He avoids becoming satisfied with himself, recognizing that true success comes only through Allah’s grace.
Self-Assessment
- Why does a self-admiring person lose the respect and affection of others?
- Why is charity considered a means of healing and protection according to Islamic teachings?
Related Articles
- Wisdom 6 – The Reality of Human Deeds in Nahj al-Balagha
- Wisdom 6 – Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali (A.S.)
- The Virtues of Charity in Islam
- The Manifestation of Human Deeds on the Day of Judgment
- The Illuminated Path: Commentary on the Wisdoms of Nahj al-Balagha – Wisdom 6