Hadith #2382

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

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

جُحُودُ الإحْسانِ يَحْدُو عَلى قُبْحِ الإمْتِنانِ۔

This can be translated as:

Denying a favor instigates the ugliness of obligation.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (juhudu) "جُحُودُ" refers to denying or rejecting, while (al-ihsan) "الإحْسانِ" means favor or kindness. (yahdu) "يَحْدُو" means to instigate or provoke, and (qubh) "قُبْحِ" refers to ugliness or repulsiveness. Lastly, (al-imtinan) "الإمْتِنانِ" means obligation or indebtedness.

To understand this Hadith in light of the Quran, we find numerous verses that emphasize the importance of gratitude and the consequences of ingratitude. 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 significance of expressing gratitude for the favors bestowed upon us. Gratitude not only pleases Allah, but it also leads to an increase in blessings. Conversely, denying or rejecting these favors leads to severe punishment. In the context of the Hadith, denying a favor is akin to ingratitude, which instigates the ugliness of obligation.

Another verse that sheds light on this Hadith is found in Surah An-Nahl (16:18):

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 favors of Allah are countless and immeasurable. It is our duty as Muslims to recognize and acknowledge these favors, rather than denying or rejecting them.

Now, let us reflect on the significance of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, teaches us an important lesson about gratitude and the consequences of denying a favor. When someone does us a favor, it is not only an act of kindness but also a manifestation of Allah's mercy and blessings upon us.

By denying or rejecting this favor, we not only display ingratitude towards the person who bestowed it upon us but also towards Allah. This ingratitude instigates the ugliness of obligation, as it tarnishes our character and weakens our relationship with Allah and His creation. It is important to remember that gratitude is not only a moral obligation but also a means of spiritual growth and closeness to Allah.

Practically, this Hadith encourages us to cultivate a mindset of gratitude and appreciation for the favors we receive. Instead of denying or rejecting them, we should express our gratitude to both the person and Allah. This gratitude can be demonstrated through our words, actions, and intentions. By doing so, we not only fulfill our moral duty but also strengthen our bond with Allah and His creation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of gratitude and the consequences of denying a favor. Through the Quranic verses, we understand that ingratitude leads to severe punishment, while gratitude leads to an increase in blessings. It is our duty as Muslims to recognize and acknowledge the favors bestowed upon us, expressing gratitude to both the person and Allah. By doing so, we not only fulfill our moral obligation but also strengthen our relationship with Allah and His creation. May Allah guide us to be grateful and protect us from the ugliness of ingratitude.