Hadith #5308

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 Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ شَكَرَ اِسْتَحَقَّ الزِّيادَةَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who shows gratitude deserves more.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (shakara) "شَكَرَ" in Arabic means to express gratitude or thankfulness. It is an act of acknowledging and appreciating the blessings and favors bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Gratitude is not merely a verbal expression, but it is a state of the heart that is reflected in our actions and attitudes.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages us to be grateful in numerous verses of the Quran. For example, in Surah Ibrahim (14:7), 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 ayah emphasizes the importance of gratitude and its correlation with receiving more blessings from Allah. When we express gratitude for the blessings we have, whether they are material or spiritual, Allah promises to increase us in His favor. This increase can manifest in various forms, such as increased blessings, contentment, and spiritual growth.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the significance of gratitude in our lives. By saying,

One who shows gratitude deserves more,

he highlights the profound truth that gratitude is not only a virtue in itself but also a means to attain further blessings from Allah.

When we express gratitude, we acknowledge that all blessings come from Allah alone. We recognize that we are dependent on Him for everything we have. This humility and recognition of our reliance on Allah opens the doors for Him to bestow upon us even more blessings. Allah is the Most Generous, and He loves to reward His grateful servants.

Furthermore, gratitude has a transformative effect on our hearts and minds. It cultivates a positive mindset, fosters contentment, and strengthens our relationship with Allah. When we are grateful, we focus on the blessings rather than the hardships, and this perspective shift brings about inner peace and tranquility.

In Surah Al-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 ayah reminds us that the blessings of Allah are countless and beyond our comprehension. Therefore, expressing gratitude for even the smallest blessings is a way of acknowledging the infinite favors of Allah upon us.

The consequences of gratitude are not limited to the individual alone. When we are grateful, it positively impacts our relationships with others as well. Gratitude fosters kindness, empathy, and generosity towards others. It creates a ripple effect of positivity and spreads goodness in society.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we realize that gratitude is not a one-time act but a continuous state of being. It is a mindset that we should strive to cultivate in every aspect of our lives. Whether we are facing challenges or enjoying blessings, gratitude should be our constant companion.

Let us remember that gratitude is not just a duty towards Allah, but it is also a means of seeking His pleasure and attaining His blessings. By expressing gratitude, we align ourselves with the divine will and invite Allah's mercy and favor into our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be truly grateful for His blessings and may He increase us in His favor. Ameen.