Hadith #13

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude for even the smallest blessings that we receive from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to disregard or underestimate these small favors, for doing so is a sign of ingratitude.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (aṭrāf) "أَطْرَافُ" refers to the edges or extremities of something, in this context, it signifies the small blessings or favors that we receive from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (niʿam) "نِعَمِ" means blessings or favors. And the word (shukr) "شُّكْرِ" means gratitude or thankfulness.

To further comprehend the significance of expressing gratitude for even the smallest blessings, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Ibrahim (14:7):

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favor); but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'

This verse highlights the direct correlation between gratitude and the increase of blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we express gratitude for the small favors we receive, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises to increase us in favor. Conversely, if we are ungrateful and fail to acknowledge these blessings, we risk losing them and facing the severe punishment of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Another verse that supports the importance of gratitude is found in Surah An-Nahl (16:18):

And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse reminds us that the blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) are countless and immeasurable. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to express gratitude for each and every favor, regardless of its size.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to overlook or dismiss the small favors that we receive from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) due to a lack of gratitude. Often, we tend to focus on the big blessings in our lives and forget to appreciate the smaller ones. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that even these seemingly insignificant favors deserve our gratitude.

By expressing gratitude for the small blessings, we cultivate a sense of humility and contentment. We recognize that every blessing, no matter how small, is a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and should be cherished. Moreover, showing gratitude for the small favors encourages us to develop a positive mindset and a grateful heart. It helps us to focus on the abundance of blessings in our lives, rather than dwelling on what we lack.

Furthermore, the consequences of neglecting gratitude for small favors can be detrimental. When we fail to appreciate the small blessings, we risk becoming ungrateful and taking the larger blessings for granted. This ingratitude can lead to a sense of entitlement and dissatisfaction, causing us to overlook the countless blessings that surround us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for all Muslims to express gratitude for even the smallest favors we receive from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By acknowledging and appreciating these blessings, we not only increase our favor with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but we also cultivate a positive mindset and a grateful heart. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and be grateful for all the blessings He bestows upon us.