20/17. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1644 — A Thankful Slave
The differing narrations from 'Aishah regarding staying up at night (in prayer)
Should I Not Be a Thankful Slave?
Sunan an-Nasai : 1644
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1644
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ عِلاَقَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْمُغِيرَةَ بْنَ شُعْبَةَ، يَقُولُ قَامَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى تَوَرَّمَتْ قَدَمَاهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ قَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ . قَالَ " أَفَلاَ أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا " .
Ziyad bin Ilaqah Narrated from:
I heard Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah say: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) stood (in prayer at night) until his feet swelled up, and it was said to him: Allah has forgiven your past and future sins. He said: "Should I not be a thankful slave?'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1644In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 47English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1645
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1644
This Hadith about being a thankful slave shows the Prophet’s deep gratitude to Allah. Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah said the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stood in night prayer until his feet swelled. When it was said to him that Allah had forgiven his past and future sins, he replied, “Should I not be a thankful slave?” The focus here is gratitude through worship. His prayer was not shown as a way to earn forgiveness in this report, because forgiveness had already been mentioned. Instead, the Prophet’s answer connects worship with thankfulness. It teaches that prayer can be an expression of love, humility, and thanks to Allah, not only a request for needs.
What we learn from this hadith
- Worship can be a way to show gratitude to Allah.
- The Prophet’s night prayer showed deep thankfulness.
- Forgiveness did not stop him from serving Allah.
- Gratitude may be expressed through sincere prayer.
