Hadith #6666

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 companions.

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

لاتَكُونُوا لِنِعَمِ اللّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ أضْداداً۔

This can be translated as,

Do not be adversaries of the blessings of Allah upon you.

In this impactful saying , Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to not become opponents or adversaries of the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the depth and significance of this Hadith, we must reflect upon the concept of blessings in Islam. Blessings, or "ni'mah" in Arabic, refer to the favors and bounties that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His creation. These blessings can be both tangible and intangible, encompassing various aspects of our lives such as health, wealth, knowledge, and guidance.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of recognizing and being grateful for His blessings. For example, in Surah An-Nahl (16:18), Allah says,

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 are countless and beyond our comprehension.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice to not be adversaries of these blessings serves as a reminder for Muslims to appreciate and value the favors bestowed upon them by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It urges us to avoid ingratitude, arrogance, and negligence towards the blessings we have been granted.

Being adversaries of Allah's blessings can manifest in various ways. It can occur when we take these blessings for granted and fail to acknowledge the source of our blessings. It can also happen when we misuse or abuse the blessings, using them in disobedience to Allah's commands. Furthermore, being adversaries of blessings can be seen when we fail to share our blessings with others and neglect our duty to help those in need.

To illustrate the consequences of being adversaries of Allah's blessings, let us reflect on the story of the people of Thamud mentioned in the Quran. They were blessed with abundant resources and were given a unique opportunity to live in peace and prosperity. However, they became adversaries of these blessings by engaging in corruption, idol worship, and transgression. As a result, they faced severe punishment from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and were destroyed.

On the other hand, when we appreciate and value the blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), it leads to gratitude and humility. Gratitude is a fundamental aspect of faith, as mentioned in the Quran (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.'

By recognizing and being grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us, we develop a deeper sense of spirituality and contentment. It motivates us to use these blessings in ways that please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), such as helping others, seeking knowledge, and striving for justice. Moreover, gratitude for blessings leads to a positive mindset, as we focus on what we have rather than what we lack.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to not be adversaries of the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encourages us to appreciate, value, and utilize these blessings in ways that are pleasing to Allah. By doing so, we cultivate gratitude, humility, and a deeper connection with our Creator. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and be grateful for His blessings and protect us from being adversaries of His favors.