Hadith #5261

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 hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إظْهارُ الْغِنى مِنَ الشُّكْرِ۔

which translates to

Showing [one’s] affluence is from [the ways of showing] gratitude.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the connection between expressing gratitude and displaying one's blessings or wealth.

To understand the deeper meaning of this hadith, let us delve into the key words and their significance. The word (izhar) "إظْهارُ" means "to show" or "to manifest." It implies making something apparent or visible to others. (al-ghina) "الْغِنى" refers to affluence, wealth, or abundance. And (ash-shukr) "الشُّكْرِ" means gratitude or thankfulness.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of gratitude. Allah 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 direct correlation between gratitude and the abundance of blessings from Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Naml (27:40), Allah says,

Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, 'I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.' And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, 'This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.'

From these verses, we can understand that gratitude is not only a personal virtue but also a means to attract more blessings from Allah. It is a way of acknowledging and appreciating the countless favors bestowed upon us. Gratitude is not limited to mere words but should be demonstrated through our actions and behavior.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that one way to express gratitude is by showing our affluence or wealth. This does not mean flaunting our possessions or engaging in materialistic displays. Rather, it implies using our blessings to benefit others, to contribute to the welfare of society, and to alleviate the suffering of those in need.

For example, if we are financially well-off, we can support charitable causes, provide for the less fortunate, and contribute to the development of our communities. By doing so, we not only express gratitude for the blessings we have received but also fulfill our duty as responsible Muslims.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement reminds us that gratitude is not confined to a mere feeling but should be translated into action. It encourages us to utilize our resources and blessings in a way that benefits others and brings about positive change in society. By doing so, we not only fulfill our obligation to express gratitude to Allah but also follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that showing our affluence is a manifestation of gratitude. It reminds us that gratitude is not limited to words but should be demonstrated through our actions and behavior. By utilizing our blessings to benefit others and contribute to the welfare of society, we express our gratitude to Allah and follow the noble example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companions. May Allah grant us the ability to be truly grateful and use our blessings for the betterment of humanity.