Hadith #10315

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

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

Mani ista'ana bin ni'mati 'ala al-ma'siyati fahuwa al-kafur.

This Hadith highlights the concept of ingratitude and the misuse of blessings to commit sins. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word "ista'ana" in this Hadith means to seek help or assistance. "Bin ni'mati" refers to the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word "ala" signifies that these blessings are being used as a means or a tool. Finally, "al-ma'siyati" refers to sin or disobedience.

To better understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:10), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us of the numerous blessings He has bestowed upon us:

And We have certainly created you and given you [human] form. Then We said to the angels, 'Prostrate to Adam'; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was not of those who prostrated.

This verse highlights the blessing of being created as human beings, with the ability to reason and make choices.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of ingratitude is found in Surah Ibrahim (14:34):

And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.

This verse emphasizes the abundance of blessings Allah has bestowed upon us, and yet, many people fail to recognize and appreciate them.

Now, let us analyze the deeper meaning of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us that using the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah to commit sins is an act of ingratitude. It is a betrayal of the trust placed upon us by our Creator. Allah has given us these blessings as a means to worship Him, to seek His pleasure, and to fulfill our responsibilities as His servants.

When we misuse these blessings to indulge in sinful activities, we are not only being ungrateful but also displaying a lack of understanding and appreciation for the purpose of these blessings. For example, if someone uses their wealth to engage in unlawful activities, they are not only wasting their resources but also disregarding the responsibility that comes with wealth, such as helping those in need and supporting righteous causes.

The consequences of using blessings to sin are severe. In Surah Al-Isra (17:83), Allah warns us:

And when We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when evil touches him, then he is full of extensive supplication.

This verse highlights the irony of human behavior. When we are blessed, we often forget Allah and become heedless of our duties towards Him. However, when we face hardships, we turn to Him in desperation, seeking His help and mercy.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we must strive to be grateful for the blessings Allah has bestowed upon us and use them in a manner that pleases Him. We should not allow our desires and temptations to lead us astray, but rather use our blessings as a means to draw closer to Allah and fulfill our obligations as His servants. Let us remember that true gratitude lies in using our blessings to obey Allah and avoid sin, for that is the path of righteousness and true appreciation of His favors upon us.

May Allah guide us all to be grateful for His blessings and use them in a manner that pleases Him. May He protect us from the temptation to misuse our blessings and grant us the wisdom to always seek His pleasure.