Hadith #2451

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One who is ungrateful for a good turn deserves an ugly separation.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of gratitude and warns against ingratitude. To fully understand the depth of this statement, let us delve into the meanings of the key words.

The word "kafar" in Arabic means to deny or reject. In this context, it refers to ingratitude or ungratefulness. The word "husn" means goodness or a good turn, while "sani'ah" refers to an action or deed. "Istawjab" means to deserve or to bring upon oneself, and "qubh" means ugliness or repulsion. Lastly, "qati'ah" means separation or disconnection.

To support the exegesis 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 highlights the importance of gratitude and warns against denying or rejecting the blessings bestowed upon us. It emphasizes that gratitude leads to an increase in blessings, while ingratitude invites severe punishment from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:152), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

This verse reminds us to remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and be grateful to Him. It warns against denying or rejecting His blessings and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging His favors upon us.

Now, let us reflect on the significance of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his wisdom and knowledge, teaches us that one who is ungrateful for a good turn deserves an ugly separation. This means that when someone fails to appreciate or acknowledge the kindness, favors, or good deeds done for them, they are deserving of a negative consequence.

Ingratitude not only reflects a lack of appreciation but also a lack of understanding of the interconnectedness of human relationships. When someone does a good turn for us, it is a manifestation of their care, love, and concern. Failing to acknowledge or reciprocate this kindness can lead to a breakdown in the relationship, causing an "ugly separation" or disconnection.

For example, if a friend goes out of their way to help us in a time of need, but we fail to express our gratitude or reciprocate their kindness, it can strain the friendship. Over time, this lack of appreciation can lead to resentment and ultimately result in the deterioration of the relationship.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate a sense of gratitude in their hearts and express it through their words and actions. Gratitude not only strengthens our relationships with others but also deepens our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of gratitude and warns against ingratitude. It reminds us that failing to appreciate the good turns done for us can lead to negative consequences and a breakdown in relationships. Let us strive to be grateful for the blessings in our lives and express our appreciation to both Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our fellow Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be grateful and protect us from the ugliness of ingratitude.