Hadith #2878

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ حَمِدَ اللّهَ أغْناهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever praises Allah, He makes him free from want.

Let us delve into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (hamida) "حَمِدَ" in Arabic means to praise, to extol, or to express gratitude. It is derived from the root word (hamd) "حَمْد", which refers to the act of acknowledging and appreciating the qualities and blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When a person engages in praising Allah, they are acknowledging His infinite wisdom, mercy, and generosity.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages us to praise Him in numerous verses of the Quran. For example, in Surah Al-Fatihah (1:2-4), we recite,

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment.

This verse emphasizes the importance of praising Allah and recognizing His attributes as the Lord of all creation, the Most Gracious, and the Most Merciful.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:111), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And say: Praise be to Allah, who has not taken to Himself a son, and who has no partner in the kingdom, nor has He any helper because of weakness.

This verse highlights the significance of praising Allah for His uniqueness and the fact that He is free from any shortcomings or deficiencies.

When a person sincerely praises Allah, they are expressing their gratitude and recognizing their dependence on Him. This act of praise is not limited to mere words but encompasses a deep sense of humility and submission to the Creator. It is a means of drawing closer to Allah and seeking His pleasure.

The second part of the Hadith states, (aghnaahu) "أغْناهُ", which can be translated as

He makes him free from want.

This phrase signifies that when a person sincerely praises Allah, He grants them contentment and suffices them in their needs. It is a promise from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that He will provide for those who acknowledge His blessings and express gratitude.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) assures us of His provision for those who are grateful. In Surah Ibrahim (14:7), 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 emphasizes the connection between gratitude and abundance. When we appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us and express our gratitude to Allah, He blesses us with even more.

Moreover, in Surah An-Nahl (16:18), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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

This verse reminds us of the countless blessings of Allah and encourages us to reflect upon them and express our gratitude. When we acknowledge and appreciate these blessings, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grants us contentment and sufficiency.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of praising Allah and expressing gratitude for His blessings. When we engage in sincere praise and gratitude, we not only draw closer to Allah but also experience a sense of contentment and sufficiency. This act of praising Allah is not only a means of seeking His pleasure but also a source of spiritual and emotional well-being.

As Muslims, let us strive to incorporate this beautiful teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) into our lives. Let us continuously praise and express gratitude to Allah for His countless blessings. By doing so, we can experience the fulfillment and contentment that comes from being in a state of gratitude and reliance on our Creator. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to praise Him sincerely and make us free from want.