Hadith #5301

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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) states,

قِلَّةُ الشُّكْرِ تُزَهِّدُ فِي اصْطِناعِ المَعْرُوفِ

which translates to

Lack of gratitude removes the desire to do good deeds.

This enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of gratitude in our lives and its impact on our motivation to perform righteous actions.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith to better understand its meaning. The word (shukr) "شُكْر" refers to gratitude or thankfulness. It is derived from the root word (shakara) "شَكَرَ", which means to acknowledge, appreciate, and express gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Gratitude is not merely a feeling, but it is also expressed through words and actions.

The word (tuzahhidu) "تُزَهِّدُ" is derived from the root word (zahada) "زَهَدَ", which means to abstain or detach oneself from worldly desires and attachments. In this context, it refers to the diminishing or loss of the desire to engage in acts of kindness and goodness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that a lack of gratitude leads to a decline in our motivation to perform good deeds. Gratitude is a fundamental aspect of faith and a key component of our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we fail to acknowledge and appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us, we become disconnected from the source of those blessings. This disconnection can lead to a spiritual decline, causing us to lose the desire to engage in acts of kindness and righteousness.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of gratitude and its impact on our lives. 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 an increase in blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we express gratitude, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises to bestow upon us even more blessings.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-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 that the blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) are countless and beyond our comprehension. Therefore, it is essential for us to constantly express gratitude for these blessings, as it strengthens our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and increases our motivation to do good.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate a grateful heart and to express gratitude for the countless blessings bestowed upon us. By doing so, we not only strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but we also maintain our motivation to engage in acts of kindness and righteousness. Gratitude is the key that unlocks the doors to further blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and keeps our hearts inclined towards performing good deeds.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be grateful for His blessings and to continuously strive to do good deeds. May He increase us in gratitude and bless us with the motivation to engage in acts of kindness and righteousness.