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Lesson 143: Something Greater Than A Blessing!

Tradition

اَلشّاكِرُ اَسْعَدُ بالشُّكْرِ مِنْهُ بِالنِّعْمَةِ الَّتى أَوجَبَتِ الشُّكْرَ لاَنَّ النَّعَمَ مَتاعٌ وَ الشُّكْرَ نِعَمٌ وَ عُقْبى

Imam al-Hadi (‘a) is narrated to have said: “The felicity of expressing thanks for a blessing is greater than one’s felicity for having received that blessing. This is because blessings are a means for the life of this world and thankfulness is an investment both for this world and the next.”1

Brief Commentary

Thankfulness is not limited to simply expressing words through one’s tongue; it also includes one’s actions as well. Being truly thankful includes utilizing the blessings that one has received in the proper way. Being thankful in such a way brings about even further blessings which may make the initial blessing seem small and insignificant in comparison. When blessings are utilized in the way of God and the happiness of his creation, they become a further investment for felicity in both this world and the next. This is while if we look at a blessing itself, it may simply be a material blessing, while thankfulness for it extends much higher and is of greater value.

  • 1. Tuhaf al-’Uqul, p. 362, Wasa'il Al-Shi’a, vol. 14, p. 502, Al-Amali, p. 73, Mishkat Al-Anwar, p. 257.