52/18. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2819a — Grateful Servant in Prayer
Doing A Lot Of Good Deeds And Striving Hard In Worship
Hadith About Being a Grateful Servant
Sahih Muslim : 2819a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2819a
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ عِلاَقَةَ، عَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ، شُعْبَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى حَتَّى انْتَفَخَتْ قَدَمَاهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَتَكَلَّفُ هَذَا وَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ فَقَالَ " أَفَلاَ أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا " .
Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah Narrated from:
Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) worshipped so much that his feet were swollen. It was said to him: (Why do you undergo so much hardship despite the fact that) Allah has pardoned for you your earlier and later sins? Thereupon he said: May I not (prove myself) to be a grateful servant (of Allah)?
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2819aIn-book reference : Book 52, Hadith 77USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 39, Hadith 6772
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2819a
This hadith about being a grateful servant shows the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم worshipping Allah with deep love and thankfulness. Mughira b. Shu'ba reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed so much that his feet became swollen. When he was asked why he took on such hardship while Allah had pardoned his earlier and later sins, he replied, "May I not be a grateful servant?" The main lesson is clear: worship is not only about seeking pardon. It is also a way to thank Allah. This grateful servant hadith teaches that prayer can be an act of love, humility, and gratitude. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not see Allah's mercy as a reason to reduce thankfulness. Instead, he responded with more devotion.
What we learn from this hadith
- Gratitude to Allah can be shown through sincere worship.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم linked deep prayer with thankfulness.
- Allah's forgiveness should lead a believer toward humility, not carelessness.
- Hardship in worship may be accepted when it comes from love and gratitude.
