Hadith #10331

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 (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لاتُحاطُ النِّعَمُ إلاّ بِالشُّكْرِ۔

This can be translated to mean,

Blessings are not guarded but by gratitude.

This enlightening Hadith emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word (ni'am) "نِعَمُ" refers to the blessings and favors that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His creation. These blessings can be both tangible and intangible, encompassing various aspects of our lives such as health, wealth, knowledge, and relationships. The word (shukr) "شُّكْرِ" means gratitude or thankfulness. It is the act of acknowledging and appreciating the blessings we receive.

To understand the significance of gratitude in guarding blessings, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Ibrahim, verse 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 direct correlation between gratitude and the increase in blessings. When we express gratitude for the blessings we have, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises to bestow upon us even more blessings.

Moreover, in Surah An-Naml, verse 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), who recognized that the blessings bestowed upon him were a test of his gratitude. It teaches us that gratitude is not only beneficial for ourselves but also pleases Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is through gratitude that we acknowledge Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) favors and show our reliance on Him.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that gratitude is not merely a verbal expression but a state of the heart and actions. Gratitude should be deeply rooted in our daily lives, manifesting in our prayers, supplications, and interactions with others. When we are grateful, we become more aware of the blessings around us, and this awareness leads to a greater sense of contentment and happiness.

Furthermore, gratitude has transformative effects on our spiritual growth. It strengthens our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), as we acknowledge His infinite mercy and benevolence. Gratitude also fosters humility, recognizing that all blessings come from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and not from our own efforts alone.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that blessings are safeguarded through gratitude. By expressing gratitude for the blessings we receive, we not only increase our own blessings but also strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us strive to cultivate a grateful heart and incorporate gratitude into every aspect of our lives as Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be truly grateful for His countless blessings.