pauseplay_arrow

زَوالُ النِّعَمِ بِمَنْعِ حُقُوقِ اللّهِ مِنْها والتَّقْصِيرِ في شُكْرِها۔

The cessation of blessings is [caused] by withholding the rights of Allah from them and falling short in showing gratitude for them.

Audio

Photo

Save
The cessation of blessings is [caused] by withholding the rights of Allah...

— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Blessing)

Personal Reflection

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the causes for the cessation of blessings. It states,

The cessation of blessings is [caused] by withholding the rights of Allah from them and falling short in showing gratitude for them.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (ni'am) "نِعَمِ" refers to blessings or favors bestowed upon individuals by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). These blessings can take various forms, such as health, wealth, knowledge, and guidance. The word (man') "مَنْعِ" means withholding or depriving, while (huquq Allah) "حُقُوقِ اللّهِ" refers to the rights of Allah. These rights encompass fulfilling our obligations towards Him, such as performing the obligatory acts of worship and avoiding the prohibited actions. Lastly, (taqseer fi shukriha) "التَّقْصِيرِ في شُكْرِها" means falling short in showing gratitude for these blessings.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us 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 towards Allah for His blessings. By expressing gratitude, we acknowledge that these blessings are from Him and recognize His infinite mercy and generosity.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Nahl (16:18), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse reminds us of the countless blessings bestowed upon us by Allah, which are beyond our ability to fully comprehend or enumerate. It is our duty to recognize and appreciate these blessings, as failing to do so is a form of ingratitude.

Now, let us reflect on the consequences of withholding the rights of Allah and falling short in showing gratitude. When we neglect our obligations towards Allah, we create a barrier between ourselves and His blessings. By failing to fulfill our duties, we distance ourselves from His mercy and guidance. This can lead to a decrease or even a cessation of the blessings we once enjoyed.

Moreover, when we do not express gratitude for the blessings we receive, we display a lack of appreciation for Allah's favors. This ingratitude can lead to a sense of entitlement and arrogance, which hinders our spiritual growth and distances us from Allah's mercy. Conversely, when we sincerely express gratitude for His blessings, we open the doors for further blessings and increase in favor from Him.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying serves as a reminder for all Muslims to fulfill their obligations towards Allah and to express gratitude for His blessings. By doing so, we ensure the continuity of these blessings and strengthen our relationship with our Creator. Let us strive to uphold the rights of Allah and show sincere gratitude for His countless favors, for it is through this that we can attain true success and fulfillment in this life and the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and appreciate His blessings, and may He shower His mercy and blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

. : . (Readers are advised to verify the sources mentioned above, and to independently research for an accurate understanding of Hadith. Remember, personal research and seeking guidance from scholars are essential in gaining a better insight. Please, do contact us if you find any wrong citations or explanations.)

Join our community to daily receive one short Hadith of Imam Ali a.s on your device.