Hadith #5290

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 righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of gratitude and the consequences of ingratitude. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, beautifully states that showing gratitude for blessings leads to their increase, while showing ingratitude for them is evidence of their reduction.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of the words used in this Hadith. The word (shukr) "شُكْرُ" means gratitude or thankfulness. It is derived from the Arabic root "ش-ك-ر" which signifies the act of acknowledging and appreciating the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (ni'am) "نِعَمِ" refers to blessings or favors. It encompasses all the blessings that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has bestowed upon us, both visible and hidden.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that showing gratitude for these blessings leads to their increase. This concept is beautifully supported by the Quranic verse in Surah Ibrahim (14:7), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 the divine promise that gratitude leads to an increase in blessings. When we recognize and appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us, we open ourselves up to receiving even more from Allah's infinite mercy and generosity. Gratitude is not only a means of acknowledging Allah's favors, but it also serves as a motivation for us to strive towards righteousness and obedience, thereby attracting more blessings into our lives.

On the other hand, the Hadith also warns against ingratitude, which is referred to as (kufruha) "كُفْرُها". Here, ingratitude does not imply disbelief in Allah, but rather the denial or neglect of His blessings. It is a state of taking His favors for granted and failing to acknowledge them. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes ingratitude as (burhanu juhudiha) "برْهانُ جُحُودِها", which can be translated as evidence of its reduction.

This concept aligns with the Quranic verse in Surah An-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.

In this verse, Allah reminds us that His blessings are countless and beyond our comprehension. However, when we fail to recognize and appreciate these blessings, we risk losing them or experiencing a decrease in their abundance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) thought-provoking Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of gratitude in our lives. Gratitude is not only a moral virtue but also a spiritual practice that brings us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we express gratitude for the blessings in our lives, we cultivate a positive mindset, increase our contentment, and strengthen our relationship with Allah. Conversely, ingratitude leads to a sense of entitlement, dissatisfaction, and a lack of appreciation for the countless blessings bestowed upon us.

Let us reflect upon this Hadith and strive to be grateful for all the blessings in our lives, both big and small. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize His favors and show gratitude, so that He may increase us in His blessings. May we always remember the words of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive to be among those who are grateful and appreciative.