Hadith #5587

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Verily if you are patient in affliction, thankful in comfort and satisfied with the [divine] decree, you will gain the pleasure of Allah, the Glorified.

This impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of three qualities: patience, gratitude, and contentment with the divine decree.

Firstly, let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (patience) "sabr" refers to the ability to remain steadfast and composed in the face of hardships and trials. It is the act of restraining oneself from despair or complaining, and instead maintaining a state of inner peace and trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (thankfulness) "shukr" refers to expressing gratitude and appreciation to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for His blessings, whether they are material or spiritual. Lastly, the phrase (satisfied with the divine decree) "rida bil-qada" signifies accepting and being content with whatever Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has decreed for us, recognizing that His wisdom surpasses our limited understanding.

These qualities of patience, gratitude, and contentment are not only emphasized in this Hadith, but they are also reinforced in numerous verses of the Quran. For instance, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155),

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.

This verse reminds us that trials and tribulations are a part of life, and it is through patience that we can overcome them and attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also emphasizes the importance of gratitude in the Quran. In Surah Ibrahim (14:7), He says,

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 that gratitude is not only a means of expressing appreciation to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but it also leads to an increase in blessings and favors from Him.

Moreover, the concept of contentment with the divine decree is beautifully illustrated in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:216), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has perfect knowledge and wisdom, and what may seem unfavorable to us in the present moment may actually be beneficial for us in the long run.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true satisfaction and the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) can be attained by embodying these three qualities. When we face afflictions and hardships with patience, we demonstrate our trust in Allah's plan and His ability to guide us through difficult times. By expressing gratitude in times of comfort and ease, we acknowledge that every blessing we enjoy is a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and we recognize His continuous favors upon us. Finally, when we accept and are content with the divine decree, we submit ourselves to the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), recognizing that He knows what is best for us, even if we may not fully comprehend it.

By embodying these qualities, we not only strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but we also cultivate a sense of inner peace and tranquility within ourselves. We become more resilient in the face of challenges, more appreciative of the blessings bestowed upon us, and more content with the ups and downs of life. Ultimately, the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) becomes our ultimate goal and our source of eternal happiness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to embody the qualities of patience, gratitude, and contentment with the divine decree. These qualities are not only emphasized in this Hadith, but they are also supported by various verses of the Quran. By practicing these virtues, we can attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and lead a more fulfilling and purposeful life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody these qualities and attain His pleasure.