Hadith #5250

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 gratitude and its connection to receiving an increase in blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (most deserving) "أحَقُّ", (increase) "زيادَةِ", (blessing) "النِّعْمَةِ", and (grateful) "أشْكَرُ".

The word (most deserving) "أحَقُّ" signifies the one who has the greatest right or claim to something. In this context, it refers to the person who is most deserving of an increase in blessings from Allah. This implies that Allah's blessings are not limited, and He bestows them upon those who are deserving.

The word (increase) "زيادَةِ" refers to an augmentation or growth in blessings. It implies that Allah's blessings are not stagnant, but rather, they can be multiplied and expanded. This highlights the generosity and abundance of Allah's blessings.

The word (blessing) "النِّعْمَةِ" encompasses all the favors and bounties that Allah bestows upon His creation. These blessings can be both material and spiritual, including health, wealth, knowledge, guidance, and countless other gifts.

The word (grateful) "أشْكَرُ" refers to expressing gratitude and appreciation for the blessings received. It signifies acknowledging the source of the blessings and recognizing that they are a gift from Allah. Gratitude is a fundamental aspect of faith and a means of drawing closer to Allah.

To further understand the significance of gratitude and its relationship with receiving an increase in blessings, let us turn to the Quran for guidance.

Allah 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 clearly establishes the link between gratitude and an increase in blessings. Allah promises that if we are grateful for His favors, He will multiply them. Gratitude is a catalyst for attracting more blessings into our lives.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Naml (27:40), Allah says:

Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, 'I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.' And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, 'This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous.'

In this verse, Prophet Solomon (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) acknowledges that the blessings bestowed upon him are a test from Allah. He understands that gratitude is a personal benefit, as it brings about spiritual growth and strengthens the bond with Allah. Conversely, ingratitude is a sign of arrogance and a disregard for Allah's blessings.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we understand that gratitude is not only a moral virtue but also a means to attract more blessings from Allah. By expressing gratitude for the blessings we have been granted, we acknowledge Allah's generosity and open ourselves up to receiving even more blessings.

Therefore, as Muslims, it is essential for us to cultivate a mindset of gratitude and constantly express our appreciation to Allah for His countless blessings. By doing so, we not only fulfill our duty as servants of Allah but also pave the way for an increase in His blessings upon us. May Allah make us among the most grateful and deserving of His blessings.