Hadith #5326

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ قَلَّ شُكْرُهُ زالَ خَيْرُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One whose gratitude diminishes, his goodness [and blessing] comes to an end.

To understand the significance behind this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their significance. The word (shukruhu) "شُكْرُهُ" refers to gratitude or thankfulness. It is derived from the root word (shakara) "شَكَرَ", which means to acknowledge, appreciate, and express gratitude. The word (zala) "زالَ" means to diminish or decrease, while (khayruhu) "خَيْرُهُ" refers to goodness, blessings, or virtues.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of gratitude. 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 an increase in blessings from Allah. When we express gratitude for the blessings we have been bestowed, Allah promises to increase those blessings manifold.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-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 importance of gratitude as a means of testing our faith and character. It also emphasizes that gratitude benefits the individual themselves, as it increases their own spiritual well-being.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The Hadith teaches us that gratitude is not only a virtue, but it is also a means of preserving and increasing our blessings. When we fail to express gratitude for the blessings we have been given, we risk losing those blessings altogether. This is because ingratitude leads to a decrease in blessings and goodness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words carry great weight. Through this Hadith, he reminds us of the importance of continuously expressing gratitude to Allah for His countless blessings upon us. By doing so, we not only preserve the blessings we have, but we also open the doors for even greater blessings to come our way.

Let us reflect on our own lives and ask ourselves, are we truly grateful for the blessings we have been given? Do we express our gratitude to Allah through our words, actions, and intentions? It is crucial for us as Muslims to cultivate a mindset of gratitude, for it is through gratitude that we can truly appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us and ensure their continuity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for all Muslims to be grateful for the blessings we have been given. By expressing gratitude, we not only preserve our blessings but also open the doors for even greater blessings to come our way. Let us strive to be grateful servants of Allah, acknowledging His favors upon us and continuously expressing our gratitude. May Allah grant us the ability to be truly grateful, and may He shower His blessings upon us.