Authored by: Sheikh Al-Islam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab (رحمه الله)
Translated by: Maulana Mukhtar Ahmad Nadwi (Hafizahullah)
"They recognize the favor of Allah; then they deny it. And most of them are disbelievers."
(Surah An-Nahl: 16:83)
In several verses, Allah enumerates the blessings He has bestowed upon His servants:
"And Allah has made for you from your homes a place of rest and made for you tents from the hides of the animals, which you find light on the day of travel and the day of encampment. And [He has made] from their wool, fur, and hair furnishings and goods for a while. And Allah has made for you, from that which He created, shade and has made for you shelters in the mountains and has made for you garments to protect you from the heat and garments to protect you from [enemy] battle. Thus does He complete His favor upon you that you might submit [to Him]. But if they turn away - then only upon you is [responsibility for] clear notification."
(Surah An-Nahl: 16:80-82)
"During the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), rain fell, and he remarked: 'Some people have become grateful, and others have become ungrateful. Those who said, "This is Allah's mercy," expressed gratitude. However, those who said, "It rained because of such-and-such a star," disbelieved.'"
This Hadith highlights the attribution of blessings to anything other than Allah as an act of ingratitude.
May Allah grant us the ability to acknowledge His favors and remain grateful.
Translated by: Maulana Mukhtar Ahmad Nadwi (Hafizahullah)
Quranic Perspective on Denying Allah’s Blessings
The people of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) were accustomed to attributing Allah’s blessings to others. Allah mentions this behavior in the Quran:"They recognize the favor of Allah; then they deny it. And most of them are disbelievers."
(Surah An-Nahl: 16:83)
In several verses, Allah enumerates the blessings He has bestowed upon His servants:
"And Allah has made for you from your homes a place of rest and made for you tents from the hides of the animals, which you find light on the day of travel and the day of encampment. And [He has made] from their wool, fur, and hair furnishings and goods for a while. And Allah has made for you, from that which He created, shade and has made for you shelters in the mountains and has made for you garments to protect you from the heat and garments to protect you from [enemy] battle. Thus does He complete His favor upon you that you might submit [to Him]. But if they turn away - then only upon you is [responsibility for] clear notification."
(Surah An-Nahl: 16:80-82)
Explanation of the Verses
The verse يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَةَ اللَّـهِ (They recognize the favor of Allah) refers to the disbelievers, who do not reject Allah’s blessings due to ignorance. Instead, they are well aware that these blessings are from Allah. However, their denial is practical as they refuse to worship Allah alone, attributing these blessings to others.Forms of Denial Among the People of Jahiliyyah
- Attributing Blessings to Ancestors:
As narrated by Mujahid, the people of Jahiliyyah claimed that the blessings they enjoyed were inherited from their forefathers, instead of being bestowed by Allah. - Associating Blessings with Specific Individuals:
According to Awn ibn Abdullah, they would say, "If it weren’t for so-and-so, I wouldn’t have obtained this blessing." - Attributing Blessings to Causes:
Some attributed blessings to natural causes, such as rain being caused by certain stars, rather than acknowledging Allah’s favor. - Claiming Intercession of False Deities:
Others believed that their idols or false gods were the intermediaries through whom these blessings were granted. - Denial of the Prophethood of Muhammad (ﷺ):
Some scholars interpret نعمة (blessing) in these verses as referring to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), whom the disbelievers rejected despite recognizing his truthfulness and miracles.
Modern-Day Parallels
This behavior is not limited to the people of Jahiliyyah. Even today, many attribute their success, wealth, or health to their own efforts, specific individuals, or natural causes, while failing to recognize Allah as the true benefactor. Such denial is a form of ingratitude and practical rejection of Allah’s blessings.Evidence from the Sunnah
The denial of blessings by attributing them to others is explicitly condemned in the Sunnah. Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:"During the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), rain fell, and he remarked: 'Some people have become grateful, and others have become ungrateful. Those who said, "This is Allah's mercy," expressed gratitude. However, those who said, "It rained because of such-and-such a star," disbelieved.'"
This Hadith highlights the attribution of blessings to anything other than Allah as an act of ingratitude.
Key Takeaway
To deny Allah’s blessings by attributing them to others—whether to individuals, natural causes, or false deities—is tantamount to rejecting Allah’s favor. Gratitude requires recognizing Allah as the sole provider of all blessings and refraining from associating His gifts with any other entity.May Allah grant us the ability to acknowledge His favors and remain grateful.