Hadith #5235

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of gratitude and its superiority over good actions. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its meaning.

The word (shukr) "شُّكْرُ" refers to gratitude or thankfulness. It is an expression of appreciation towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for His countless blessings upon us. Gratitude is not merely a verbal acknowledgment but a heartfelt recognition of the favors bestowed upon us by our Creator.

On the other hand, the term (ma'ruf) "مَعْرُوفِ" denotes a good action or a righteous deed. It encompasses acts of kindness, charity, and all forms of virtuous conduct that benefit others. These actions are praiseworthy and encouraged in Islam.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) asserts that gratitude holds a greater value than good actions because gratitude endures while good actions eventually come to an end. This statement may seem counterintuitive at first, but when we reflect upon it, we realize the wisdom behind it.

Gratitude is a continuous state of being. It is not limited to a specific action or moment in time. When we express gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we acknowledge His blessings in our lives, both past, present, and future. Gratitude becomes a way of life, permeating every aspect of our existence.

In contrast, good actions are finite. They have a beginning and an end. While performing good deeds is undoubtedly commendable and rewarded by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), they are limited in their duration and impact. Once the act is completed, its effects may diminish over time.

To support this understanding, 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 and its direct correlation with an increase in blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we express gratitude, we open ourselves up to receiving even more blessings from our Lord. Gratitude is a means of attracting divine favor and abundance into our lives.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Naml (27:40), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, 'I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.' And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, 'This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous.'

This verse narrates the story of Prophet Solomon (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and highlights the importance of gratitude. Prophet Solomon recognized that his ability to receive blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) was contingent upon his gratitude. Gratitude is a personal benefit that enriches our own souls and brings us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement that gratitude has greater value than good actions. Gratitude is a perpetual state of appreciation that brings us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and attracts His blessings. Good actions, while praiseworthy, are limited in their duration and impact.

Therefore, as Muslims, we should strive to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in our lives. We should constantly express our thanks to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for His blessings, both seen and unseen. Gratitude should permeate our thoughts, words, and actions, becoming an integral part of our identity as believers.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be truly grateful and may He increase us in His blessings. May we always remember the words of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive to embody gratitude in our lives. Ameen.