Hadith #5248

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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the first and foremost duty that is obligatory upon all Muslims towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). He emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude for the countless blessings bestowed upon us by our Creator and seeking His pleasure in all aspects of our lives.

The word (shukr) "شُكْرُ" in Arabic refers to gratitude and thankfulness. It is derived from the root word (shakara) "شَكَرَ", which means to acknowledge, appreciate, and recognize the blessings of Allah. Gratitude is an essential quality that every Muslim should possess, as it cultivates a sense of humility, contentment, and appreciation for the favors of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The word (maradīhi) "مَرَاضِيهِ" in the hadith refers to seeking the pleasure and satisfaction of Allah. It comes from the root word (ridā) "رَضَا", which means contentment, satisfaction, and approval. Seeking the pleasure of Allah entails aligning our actions, intentions, and desires with His divine will and guidance. It requires us to strive for righteousness, obedience, and submission to His commands.

The importance of gratitude and seeking the pleasure of Allah is emphasized in numerous verses of the Quran. Allah 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 clearly illustrates that gratitude leads to an increase in blessings from Allah. When we express gratitude for the blessings we have been bestowed with, Allah, in His infinite mercy, increases those blessings and bestows upon us even more. Gratitude is not only a means of acknowledging the favors of Allah but also a way to attract His divine mercy and blessings.

Furthermore, in Surah Az-Zumar (39:7), Allah says:

If you are grateful, He is pleased with you.

This verse highlights that seeking the pleasure of Allah is closely intertwined with gratitude. When we express gratitude for His blessings, we are demonstrating our recognition of His favors and our appreciation for His infinite mercy. This, in turn, pleases Allah and strengthens our relationship with Him.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that gratitude and seeking the pleasure of Allah should be the foremost duty of every Muslim. By expressing gratitude, we acknowledge that all blessings are from Allah alone, and we recognize His infinite wisdom and mercy. Gratitude also serves as a means of purifying our hearts from arrogance, selfishness, and ingratitude.

Moreover, seeking the pleasure of Allah requires us to align our actions and intentions with His divine guidance. It motivates us to strive for righteousness, justice, and compassion in all aspects of our lives. Seeking His pleasure should be the driving force behind every decision we make, every action we take, and every word we utter.

The consequences of fulfilling this duty are immense. When we express gratitude and seek the pleasure of Allah, we are rewarded with His divine blessings, guidance, and protection. Our hearts are filled with tranquility, contentment, and peace. We are granted success in this world and the hereafter. Our relationship with Allah is strengthened, and we become recipients of His infinite mercy and forgiveness.

Reflecting upon this hadith, we are reminded of the importance of expressing gratitude for the blessings of Allah and seeking His pleasure in all aspects of our lives. Let us strive to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, recognizing and appreciating the countless blessings bestowed upon us. May we constantly seek the pleasure of Allah in our actions, intentions, and desires, and may He grant us the ability to fulfill this duty with sincerity and devotion.