Hadith #10298

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,

إنَّما يُعْرَفُ قَدْرُ النِّعَمِ بِمُقاساةِ ضِدِّها۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

The only way that the value of blessings can be known is by suffering their contraries.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (qadr) "قَدْرُ" refers to the value or worth of something. (ni'am) "النِّعَمِ" signifies blessings, which are the favors and bounties bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). (muqasah) "مُقاساةِ" means to measure or assess, and (diddiha) "ضِدِّها" refers to their opposites or contraries.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nahl (16:46),

Or that Allah may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their jobs), so that there be no escape for them (from Allah's punishment)?

This verse highlights the concept of experiencing the opposite of blessings as a means of realizing their true value. When people are caught in difficult situations or face hardships, they begin to appreciate the blessings they had taken for granted. It is through the contrast between blessings and their opposites that the true worth of those blessings becomes apparent.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:35), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us, you will be returned.

This verse reminds us that life is a test, and part of this test involves experiencing both good and evil. Through these trials, we come to realize the value of the blessings bestowed upon us. When we face hardships, we learn to appreciate the ease and comfort that Allah has blessed us with.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that it is only through suffering the contraries of blessings that we truly understand their worth. For example, when we experience illness, we appreciate the blessing of good health. When we face poverty, we recognize the value of wealth. When we encounter loneliness, we value the importance of companionship.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be grateful for the blessings they have been granted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encourages us to reflect upon the contrast between blessings and their opposites, and to recognize that these hardships are a means of testing our faith and increasing our gratitude.

Moreover, this Hadith also teaches us the importance of empathy and compassion towards others. When we witness others suffering the contraries of blessings, it should motivate us to extend a helping hand and alleviate their hardships. By doing so, we not only fulfill our duty as Muslims but also deepen our understanding of the value of blessings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that the true value of blessings can only be known through experiencing their opposites. It encourages us to reflect upon the contrast between blessings and hardships, and to be grateful for the favors bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah grant us the wisdom to appreciate His blessings and the strength to endure the trials that come our way.