Hadith #2539

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

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

كُفْرانُ الإحْسانِ يُوجِبُ الحِرْمانَ۔

This can be translated as,

Ingratitude for favours leads to deprivation.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith by examining the key words and concepts it contains. Firstly, "كُفْرانُ الإحْسانِ" refers to ingratitude or disbelief in the act of showing kindness and favor. It signifies a lack of appreciation and recognition for the good that has been done. Secondly, "يُوجِبُ" means to necessitate or bring about. It implies that the consequence of ingratitude is the occurrence of something undesirable. Lastly, "الحِرْمانَ" refers to deprivation or being deprived of blessings and favors.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of gratitude and warns against ingratitude. 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 relationship between gratitude and the abundance of blessings. When we express gratitude for the favors bestowed upon us, Allah promises to increase those blessings. Conversely, denying or being ungrateful for these favors can lead to severe consequences.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of ingratitude is found in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 152. Allah says,

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

Here, Allah reminds us to remember Him and be grateful, as gratitude is intertwined with remembrance of Allah. Denying or being ungrateful to Allah not only leads to deprivation of His blessings but also distances us from His remembrance and guidance.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we can understand that ingratitude for the favors bestowed upon us, whether from Allah or others, has profound consequences. When we fail to appreciate and acknowledge the kindness shown to us, we risk losing those blessings and experiencing deprivation in various aspects of our lives.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a reminder for us to cultivate a mindset of gratitude and appreciation. By recognizing and expressing gratitude for the favors we receive, we not only preserve and increase those blessings but also strengthen our relationship with Allah and those around us. Gratitude is a transformative quality that brings about contentment, humility, and a sense of interconnectedness with the Creator and His creation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the profound lesson that ingratitude for favors leads to deprivation. It reminds us of the importance of expressing gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us, as ingratitude can result in the loss of those blessings and distance us from the remembrance of Allah. Let us strive to be grateful Muslims, appreciating the kindness shown to us and acknowledging the countless favors of Allah, so that we may continue to receive His abundant blessings and guidance. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be grateful and protect us from the consequences of ingratitude.