Gratitude and Thankfulness

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الطَّاعِمُ الشَّاكِرُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ كَأَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ الْمُحْتَسِبِ وَ الْمُعَافَى الشَّاكِرُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ كَأَجْرِ الْمُبْتَلَى الصَّابِرِ وَ الْمُعْطَى الشَّاكِرُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ كَأَجْرِ الْمَحْرُومِ الْقَانِعِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A person feeding (himself) with gratitude (before Allah) has a reward equal to the reward of a fasting person who brings himself to strict account. A person in good health who is grateful receives a reward equal to the reward of a person who suffers from an illness but exercises patie

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ بَابَ شُكْرٍ فَخَزَنَ عَنْهُ‌[1] بَابَ الزِّيَادَةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever Allah opens the door of gratitude to someone He does not keep the door of increasing (bounties) hidden from him.’”

مَكْتُوبٌ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ اشْكُرْ مَنْ أَنْعَمَ عَلَيْكَ وَ أَنْعِمْ عَلَى مَنْ شَكَرَكَ فَإِنَّهُ لَا زَوَالَ لِلنَّعْمَاءِ[2] إِذَا شُكِرَتْ وَ لَا بَقَاءَ لَهَا إِذَا كُفِرَتْ الشُّكْرُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي النِّعَمِ وَ أَمَانٌ مِنَ الْغِيَرِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘This is written in the Torah: “Thank (and be grateful to) those who have done favors to you, and do favors to those who thank you; bounties will not go away if you appreciate them and they will not stay all the time if you reject them. Thankfulness increases the bounties and provides s

الْمُعَافَى الشَّاكِرُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مَا لِلْمُبْتَلَى الصَّابِرِ وَ الْمُعْطَى الشَّاكِرُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ كَالْمَحْرُومِ الْقَانِعِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A person in good health who is thankful for it receives the same amount of reward as a person who in an ailing health exercises patience. One who gives (charity) and is thankful (for his ability) receives the same amount of reward as the deprived person who is content.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ أَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ‌[4] قَالَ الَّذِي أَنْعَمَ عَلَيْكَ بِمَا فَضَّلَكَ وَ أَعْطَاكَ وَ أَحْسَنَ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَحَدَّثَ بِدِينِهِ وَ مَا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَا أَنْعَمَ بِهِ عَلَيْهِ.

5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Dawud al-Hasin from Fadl al-Baqbaq who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . and proclaim the bounties of your Lord.’ [93:11] The Imam s

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ لَيْلَتَهَا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لِمَ تُتْعِبُ نَفْسَكَ وَ قَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ فَقَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ أَ لَا أَكُونُ عَبْداً شَكُوراً قَالَ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُومُ عَلَى أَطْرَافِ أَصَابِعِ رِجْلَيْهِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى- طه‌ ما أَنْزَلْنا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقى‌[1].

One night when the Messenger of Allah stayed in ‘A’isha’s chamber she asked, “O Messenger of Allah, why do you tire yourself when Allah has already forgiven all of your past and future sins (that the pagans thought you had committed against them)?” He replied, ‘O ‘A’isha, should not I be a grateful servant?’ “The Imam

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثٌ لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَهُنَّ شَيْ‌ءٌ الدُّعَاءُ عِنْدَ الْكَرْبِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ عِنْدَ الذَّنْبِ وَ الشُّكْرُ عِنْدَ النِّعْمَةِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘With the existence of three factors nothing can harm one. These factors include: prayer in difficulties, asking forgiveness in sins and thankfulness for bounties.’”

مَنْ أُعْطِيَ الشُّكْرَ أُعْطِيَ الزِّيَادَةَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever is granted the ability to be thankful is also granted increase in bounties. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “. . . if you give thanks, I shall give you greater (favors). .. .’””(14:7)

مَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ فَعَرَفَهَا بِقَلْبِهِ وَ حَمِدَ اللَّهَ ظَاهِراً بِلِسَانِهِ فَتَمَّ كَلَامُهُ حَتَّى يُؤْمَرَ لَهُ بِالْمَزِيدِ.

‘If upon Allah’s granting a favor to a servant he acknowledges it in his heart, and expresses thanks to Him in public, as soon as his words are completed, an order is issued to give the servant more.’”

شُكْرُ النِّعْمَةِ اجْتِنَابُ الْمَحَارِمِ وَ تَمَامُ الشُّكْرِ قَوْلُ الرَّجُلِ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ*.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Not to commit unlawful acts is a form of expressing thanks for a bounty. A complete expression of thankfulness is that one says, “All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.””’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ شُكْرُ كُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ وَ إِنْ عَظُمَتْ أَنْ تَحْمَدَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهَا[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Expressing one’s thankfulness for any favor, no matter how great it may be, is to thank Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for it.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ لِلشُّكْرِ حَدٌّ إِذَا فَعَلَهُ الْعَبْدُ كَانَ شَاكِراً قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ عَلَيْهِ فِي أَهْلٍ وَ مَالٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيمَا أَنْعَمَ عَلَيْهِ فِي مَالِهِ حَقٌّ أَدَّاهُ وَ مِنْهُ قَوْلُهُ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ- سُبْحانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنا هذا وَ ما كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ‌[1] وَ مِنْهُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى- رَبِّ أَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلً

“The Imam said, ‘Yes, there is a limit.’ I then asked, ‘What is that limit?’ The Imam said, ‘One must thank Allah for every favor that He has done, such as family and properties. If on the property one has received there is a certain right it must be paid off as is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ حَمِدَ اللَّهَ عَلَى النِّعْمَةِ فَقَدْ شَكَرَهُ وَ كَانَ الْحَمْدُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ تِلْكَ النِّعْمَةِ.

‘One’s praising Allah for His granting him bounties is considered his expressing thanks to Allah and expressing the praise of Allah, is better than the bounties one has received.’”

قَالَ لِي‌ مَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ بِنِعْمَةٍ صَغُرَتْ أَوْ كَبُرَتْ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ إِلَّا أَدَّى شُكْرَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘For any favor that Allah may grant to any one of His servants, a small or a greater favor, if that servant says “All praise belongs to Allah,” has thanked Him properly.’”

مَنْ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِنِعْمَةٍ فَعَرَفَهَا بِقَلْبِهِ فَقَدْ أَدَّى شُكْرَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever receives a favor from Allah and acknowledges it in his heart, in so doing he has expressed his thankfuness for it also.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ مِنْكُمْ لَيَشْرَبُ الشَّرْبَةَ مِنَ الْمَاءِ فَيُوجِبُ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهَا الْجَنَّةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَيَأْخُذُ الْإِنَاءَ فَيَضَعُهُ عَلَى فِيهِ فَيُسَمِّي‌[4]- ثُمَّ يَشْرَبُ فَيُنَحِّيهِ وَ هُوَ يَشْتَهِيهِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فَيَشْرَبُ ثُمَّ يُنَحِّيهِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فَيَشْرَبُ ثُمَّ يُنَحِّيهِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ فَيُوجِبُ اللَّهُ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘One of you drinks water and for this Allah admits him into paradise.’ The Imam then said, ‘He picks up the bowl of water and places it in his mouth, then mentions the name of Allah and then he drinks. He then removes it from his mouth and expresses praise for Allah, even though he stil

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي مَالًا فَرَزَقَنِي وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي وَلَداً فَرَزَقَنِي وَلَداً وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي دَاراً فَرَزَقَنِي وَ قَدْ خِفْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجاً[1] فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَعَ الْحَمْدِ فَلَا.

‘I prayed to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for property and He granted me. I prayed to Allah for a child and He granted me. I prayed to Him for a house and He granted me. I am afraid that it (coming true of my wishes) is a kind of leading me to my own destruction (gradually)’ The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah

خَرَجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ وَ قَدْ ضَاعَتْ دَابَّتُهُ فَقَالَ لَئِنْ رَدَّهَا اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ لَأَشْكُرَنَّ اللَّهَ حَقَّ شُكْرِهِ قَالَ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَنْ أُتِيَ بِهَا فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَائِلٌ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ لَيْسَ قُلْتَ لَأَشْكُرَنَّ اللَّهَ حَقَّ شُكْرِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ لَمْ تَسْمَعْنِي قُلْتُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) came out of the Mosque and his animal that he had ridden was missing. The Imam said, ‘If Allah will return my animal I will thank Him the way He must be thanked.’ Not long thereafter his animal was brought back. The Imam said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah.’ Someone then said, ‘May Allah keep

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرٌ يَسُرُّهُ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى هَذِهِ النِّعْمَةِ وَ إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرٌ يَغْتَمُّ بِهِ قَالَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If the Messenger of Allah were to receive happy news he would say, “All praise belongs to Allah, for His granting this favor.” Whenever he was to receive a sad news he would say, “All praise belongs to Allah in all conditions.’””

تَقُولُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ إِذَا نَظَرْتَ إِلَى الْمُبْتَلَى مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تُسْمِعَهُ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي مِمَّا ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ وَ لَوْ شَاءَ فَعَلَ قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ ذَلِكَ لَمْ يُصِبْهُ ذَلِكَ الْبَلَاءُ أَبَداً.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Say three times when you see an ailing person without making him hear it, “All praise belongs to Allah for his keeping me safe from that with which you are afflicted. Had You (the Lord) wanted You could have made me suffer from this also.’” The Imam said, ‘Whoever says this he will never b

مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَرَى مُبْتَلًى فَيَقُولُ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَدَلَ عَنِّي مَا ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ وَ فَضَّلَنِي عَلَيْكَ بِالْعَافِيَةِ اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي مِمَّا ابْتَلَيْتَهُ بِهِ إِلَّا لَمْ يُبْتَلَ بِذَلِكَ الْبَلَاءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Anyone who upon seeing an ailing person says, “All praise belongs to Allah Who has avoided afflicting me with what He has afflict you and has given preference to me over you in granting a good health. O Allah, grant me good health against the ailment with which he is afflicted.” He, be

إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الرَّجُلَ وَ قَدِ ابْتُلِيَ وَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي لَا أَسْخَرُ وَ لَا أَفْخَرُ[1] وَ لَكِنْ أَحْمَدُكَ عَلَى عَظِيمِ نَعْمَائِكَ عَلَيَّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When you see a man who is in affliction and Allah has granted you a favor, say, “O Allah, I do not ridicule him or boast, but I express Your praise for the great favors that You have done for me.”’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَلَاءِ فَاحْمَدُوا اللَّهَ وَ لَا تُسْمِعُوهُمْ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يَحْزُنُهُمْ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘When you see people who are in affliction, express the praise of Allah but do not make them hear it; it may cause them to feel sad.’”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ فِي سَفَرٍ يَسِيرُ عَلَى نَاقَةٍ لَهُ إِذَا نَزَلَ فَسَجَدَ خَمْسَ سَجَدَاتٍ فَلَمَّا أَنْ رَكِبَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا رَأَيْنَاكَ صَنَعْتَ شَيْئاً لَمْ تَصْنَعْهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ اسْتَقْبَلَنِي- جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَبَشَّرَنِي بِبِشَارَاتٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَسَجَدْتُ لِلَّهِ شُكْراً لِكُلِّ بُشْرَى سَجْدَةً.

“The Messenger of Allah once was on a small journey on his camel. He dismounted and prostrated five times. When he mounted the camel they said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we saw you do what we had not seen you do before.’ He said, ‘Yes, it is true, but Jibril came to me with much good news from Allah, the Most Majestic, th

إِذَا ذَكَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَلْيَضَعْ خَدَّهُ عَلَى التُّرَابِ شُكْراً لِلَّهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ رَاكِباً فَلْيَنْزِلْ فَلْيَضَعْ خَدَّهُ عَلَى التُّرَابِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى النُّزُولِ لِلشُّهْرَةِ فَلْيَضَعْ خَدَّهُ عَلَى قَرَبُوسِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ فَلْيَضَعْ خَدَّهُ عَلَى كَفِّهِ‌[2] ثُمَّ لْيَحْمَدِ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا أَنْعَمَ عَلَيْهِ.

“When any of you may remember or speak of the bounties of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, he should place his cheek on the soil as an expression of gratitude to Allah. If one is riding one should dismount and place one’s cheek on the soil. If he is not able to do so because of his avoiding publicity, should pl

كُنْتُ أَسِيرُ مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فِي بَعْضِ أَطْرَافِ الْمَدِينَةِ إِذْ ثَنَى رِجْلَهُ عَنْ دَابَّتِهِ فَخَرَّ سَاجِداً فَأَطَالَ وَ أَطَالَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ وَ رَكِبَ دَابَّتَهُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدْ أَطَلْتَ السُّجُودَ فَقَالَ إِنَّنِي ذَكَرْتُ نِعْمَةً أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَلَيَّ فَأَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ رَبِّي.

“Once I was walking with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) on a certain side of the city of Madina. He joined his legs on one side of the animal he was riding, dismounted and went to prostrate on the ground. He prolonged and prolonged the prostration. He then raised his head and mounted the animal. I then said, ‘May Allah keep my s

فِيمَا أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى ع يَا مُوسَى اشْكُرْنِي حَقَّ شُكْرِي فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَ كَيْفَ أَشْكُرُكَ حَقَّ شُكْرِكَ وَ لَيْسَ مِنْ شُكْرٍ أَشْكُرُكَ بِهِ إِلَّا وَ أَنْتَ أَنْعَمْتَ بِهِ عَلَيَّ قَالَ يَا مُوسَى الْآنَ شَكَرْتَنِي حِينَ عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنِّي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Of the things that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed to Moses was this: “O Moses, thank Me the way I must be thanked.” Moses said, “O Lord, how can 1 thank You the way You must be thanked while there is no thanking that I may perform but that in it You grant me a (new)

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ وَ أَمْسَيْتَ فَقُلْ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ- اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَصْبَحَتْ بِي مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ أَوْ عَافِيَةٍ مِنْ دِينٍ أَوْ دُنْيَا فَمِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَ لَكَ الشُّكْرُ بِهَا عَلَيَّ يَا رَبِّ حَتَّى تَرْضَى وَ بَعْدَ الرِّضَا فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا قُلْتَ ذَلِكَ كُنْتَ قَدْ أَدَّيْتَ شُكْرَ مَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ بِهِ عَلَيْكَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَ فِي تِلْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘In the morning and evening say ten times: “O Lord, every morning I find myself with a favor and the well-being of the world or the hereafter. All such favors are from You, from You alone, and no one is Your partner. All praise belongs to You and thanks to You for Your favors to me, O L

كَانَ نُوحٌ ع يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ‌[1] إِذَا أَصْبَحَ فَسُمِّيَ بِذَلِكَ عَبْداً شَكُوراً وَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ صَدَقَ اللَّهَ نَجَا.

29. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Noah would say the prayer in the previous Hadith every morning and for that reason he is called a thankful person.’ The Imam said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever a

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ قَلْبٍ حَزِينٍ وَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ عَبْدٍ شَكُورٍ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لِعَبْدٍ مِنْ عَبِيدِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَ شَكَرْتَ فُلَاناً فَيَقُولُ بَلْ شَكَرْتُكَ يَا رَبِّ فَيَقُولُ لَمْ تَشْكُرْنِي إِذْ لَمْ تَشْكُرْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَشْكَرُكُمْ لِلَّهِ أَشْكَرُكُمْ لِلنَّاسِ.

“Allah loves every sad heart and He loves every thankful servant. Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, on the Day of Judgment will say to a servant among His servants, ‘Did you thank so and so?’ He (that servant) will say, ‘No, but 1 thanked You, O Lord.’ Allah will say, ‘You have not thanked Me because you did not