Hadith #9259

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "كُفْرُ النِّعْمَةِ مُزيلُها۔" This can be translated as,

Being ungrateful for a blessing is the cause of its removal.

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of gratitude and warns against the consequences of ingratitude.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words. (kufr) "كُفْرُ" refers to disbelief or ingratitude, while (an-ni'mah) "النِّعْمَةِ" means blessings or favors. The word (muziluha) "مُزيلُها" signifies the removal or taking away of these blessings.

The Quran emphasizes the significance of gratitude in numerous verses. 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 clearly indicates that gratitude leads to an increase in blessings, while ingratitude invites punishment.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Nahl (16:18), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,

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), which we cannot even begin to comprehend or enumerate.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be grateful for the blessings bestowed upon them. Gratitude is not only a moral virtue but also a means of preserving and increasing the blessings in our lives. When we fail to appreciate and acknowledge the favors of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we risk losing them.

For example, let us consider the blessing of good health. When we are healthy, we often take it for granted and fail to recognize it as a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). However, if we become ungrateful and neglect our health, engaging in harmful habits or neglecting self-care, we may suffer from illness or lose our good health altogether.

Similarly, if we are ungrateful for the blessings of wealth and abundance, we may misuse or squander our resources, leading to financial difficulties and loss. On the other hand, when we express gratitude for our wealth and utilize it in ways that benefit others and fulfill our responsibilities, we are more likely to be blessed with increased sustenance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon the blessings they have been granted and to express gratitude for them. Gratitude not only pleases Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) but also brings about a sense of contentment and fulfillment in our lives.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

Being ungrateful for a blessing is the cause of its removal,

emphasizes the importance of gratitude and warns against the consequences of ingratitude. Muslims are reminded to express gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to utilize these blessings in a manner that pleases Him. By doing so, we can preserve and increase the blessings in our lives and attain spiritual and worldly success. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be grateful for His blessings and to use them in ways that bring us closer to Him.