Hadith #1504

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

في كُلِّ بِرّ شُكْرٌ۔

This can be translated into English as,

In every righteous act there is gratitude.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. The word (birr) "بِرّ" refers to righteousness, piety, and acts of goodness. It encompasses all actions that are in accordance with the teachings of Islam and are pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (shukr) "شُكْرٌ" means gratitude or thankfulness. It is the act of acknowledging and appreciating the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah.

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. 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 emphasizes the importance of gratitude and highlights the direct correlation between expressing gratitude and receiving an increase in blessings from Allah.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of gratitude is found in Surah Al-Nahl (16:18), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 blessings of Allah are countless and beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to express gratitude for these blessings through our righteous actions.

Now, let us reflect on the profound statement of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses. The Hadith teaches us that every righteous act we perform should be accompanied by gratitude. When we engage in acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, or giving charity, we should do so with a deep sense of gratitude towards Allah for granting us the ability and opportunity to perform these acts.

Gratitude is not limited to mere words of thanks; it is a state of the heart that is reflected in our actions. When we perform righteous deeds with a grateful heart, we are acknowledging that these acts are a gift from Allah and a means of drawing closer to Him. This gratitude then becomes a motivation for us to continue striving in our worship and to seek even more opportunities to please Allah.

Moreover, the Hadith reminds us that gratitude is not confined to acts of worship alone. It encompasses every aspect of our lives. We should be grateful for the blessings of health, wealth, family, and all the other provisions that Allah has bestowed upon us. By recognizing these blessings and utilizing them in a righteous manner, we demonstrate our gratitude to Allah.

Furthermore, the Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions. When we engage in righteous acts with gratitude, we are more likely to be consistent in our obedience to Allah. This consistency leads to an increase in blessings from Allah, as mentioned in the aforementioned verse from Surah Ibrahim. On the other hand, if we neglect gratitude and fail to appreciate the blessings of Allah, we risk facing His severe punishment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that gratitude is an integral part of every righteous act. It reminds us to be grateful to Allah for His countless blessings and to express this gratitude through our actions. By doing so, we not only increase our own blessings but also strengthen our relationship with Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to be grateful and may He accept our righteous deeds.