Hadith Text & Context

"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)?"

This profound exchange occurred between the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) during the Battle of Tabuk, when Abu Bakr was observed exerting extreme physical effort despite his advanced age.

Scholarly Commentary

The scholars explain that Abu Bakr's response demonstrates the highest level of spiritual understanding - that gratitude (shukr) is not merely verbal thanks, but manifests through increased obedience and worship. True gratitude requires action proportionate to the blessing received.

Imam An-Nawawi comments that this hadith teaches us that even when Allah grants forgiveness, the believer should increase in righteous deeds as an expression of thankfulness, not decrease in devotion.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali elaborates that Abu Bakr understood that Allah's pardon was the greatest blessing, and the appropriate response was to increase in worship and service, not to become complacent in religious practice.

Spiritual Lessons

This exchange establishes that divine forgiveness should inspire greater devotion, not spiritual laziness. The true believer increases in worship when receiving blessings, recognizing each blessing as an opportunity to draw closer to Allah.

The hadith distinguishes between the common person who reduces worship when feeling secure, and the sincere lover of Allah who increases in service when receiving divine favors.

Abu Bakr's example teaches that the highest form of gratitude is to use Allah's blessings as means to obey Him more perfectly, transforming divine mercy into increased devotion.