Hadith #9266

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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, "النِّعَمُ يَسْلُبُهَا الْكُفْرانُ" which translates to

Blessings are stripped away by ingratitude.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the detrimental consequences of ingratitude and the importance of recognizing and appreciating the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. "النِّعَمُ" refers to the blessings, favors, and bounties that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His creation. These blessings can be both tangible and intangible, encompassing health, wealth, knowledge, guidance, and countless other gifts from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The word "يَسْلُبُهَا" means to strip away or take away forcefully. It implies that ingratitude has the power to snatch away the blessings that we have been granted. This highlights the severity of ingratitude and its potential to lead to the loss of divine favors.

The term "الْكُفْرانُ" refers to ingratitude or disbelief. In this context, it signifies the act of denying or neglecting the blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and failing to express gratitude for them. It is important to note that ingratitude does not necessarily mean outright denial or rejection of blessings; rather, it encompasses a lack of appreciation and acknowledgment.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. 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 emphasizes the correlation between gratitude and the increase of blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It serves as a reminder that expressing gratitude for the blessings we have leads to further abundance and favor from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah An-Nahl (16:18), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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

This verse highlights the countless blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and encourages us to reflect upon and appreciate His favors.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of gratitude. It urges us to recognize and appreciate the blessings we have been given, both big and small. By expressing gratitude, we not only fulfill our duty as servants of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but we also ensure the continuity and increase of these blessings.

Ingratitude, on the other hand, leads to the loss and deprivation of blessings. When we fail to acknowledge and appreciate the favors bestowed upon us, we risk taking them for granted and becoming ungrateful. This ingratitude can result in the withdrawal or decrease of those blessings, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) may test us by removing what we have failed to appreciate.

Therefore, as Muslims, it is essential for us to cultivate a mindset of gratitude and constantly reflect upon the blessings we have been given. By doing so, we not only preserve and increase our blessings but also strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us strive to be grateful for every blessing, big or small, and express our gratitude through acts of worship, kindness, and charity. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and appreciate His blessings and protect us from the pitfalls of ingratitude.