Hadith #5305

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لِيَكُنِ الشُّكْرُ شاغِلاً لَكَ عَلى مُعافاتِكَ مِمَّا ابْتُلِيَ بِهِ غَيْرُكَ۔

This can be translated as,

Be occupied by gratitude for your good state and [your] safety from that which has afflicted others.

In this beautiful Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of gratitude and being thankful to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for the blessings and favors He has bestowed upon us. The word (shaaghilan) "شاغِلاً" in the Hadith means to be occupied or engrossed in something. Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be fully absorbed in expressing gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for our well-being and protection from the afflictions that have befallen others.

The concept of gratitude is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us to be grateful for His blessings. In Surah Ibrahim, verse 7, Allah says,

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 what we have, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises to bestow upon us even more.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Naml, verse 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.'

This verse highlights the story of Prophet Solomon (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon him. It teaches us that gratitude is not only a means of expressing appreciation to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but it also benefits the individual who is grateful.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges us to reflect on our own state of well-being and safety. We should be grateful for the blessings we enjoy, such as good health, a stable livelihood, and protection from harm. By being occupied with gratitude, we develop a positive mindset and a deeper appreciation for the countless blessings bestowed upon us. This gratitude should not be limited to material possessions, but it should also extend to the intangible blessings, such as the gift of faith, knowledge, and the opportunity to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

When we observe the suffering and hardships faced by others, our gratitude deepens. We realize that our good state is not guaranteed and that it is a mercy from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This awareness motivates us to express gratitude through acts of kindness, charity, and support for those in need. It also instills humility within us, as we recognize that our blessings are not solely a result of our own efforts, but a divine favor from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Moreover, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life. We may be in a good state today, but it can change at any moment. By being occupied with gratitude, we prepare ourselves to face challenges with patience and resilience. We understand that difficulties and trials are part of the human experience, and they serve as tests from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Gratitude helps us maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of adversity, and it strengthens our faith in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) wisdom and plan.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of gratitude and being occupied with expressing thankfulness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for our well-being and protection. Gratitude is a fundamental aspect of our faith and a means of increasing our blessings. It reminds us to appreciate the countless favors bestowed upon us and to extend our gratitude through acts of kindness and support for those in need. By being occupied with gratitude, we develop a positive mindset, deepen our faith, and prepare ourselves to face the challenges of life with patience and resilience. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be truly grateful and to express our gratitude in the best of ways.