Sunan an-Nasa'i 1644

Overview & Central Theme

This profound hadith, recorded by Imam An-Nasa'i in the Book of Qiyam Al-Lail, encapsulates the essence of prophetic gratitude and the pinnacle of voluntary worship. The central theme is the Prophet's ﷺ relentless devotion in night prayer (Tahajjud) despite the divine assurance of complete forgiveness for all sins—past and future. His response, "Should I not be a thankful slave?" elevates gratitude (Shukr) from a mere verbal acknowledgment to an embodied state of worship, demonstrating that the highest motivation for 'Ibadah is not fear of punishment or hope of reward, but profound love and thankfulness toward the Giver. This hadith establishes that the ultimate station of servitude ('Uboodiyyah) is realized through persistent, sincere acts of devotion that spring from an overwhelming sense of divine favor.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The narrator, Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him), a companion known for his sharp intellect, witnesses the Prophet's ﷺ extraordinary night vigil. The Arabic phrase "حتى تورمت قدماه" (hatta tawarramat qadamaah) literally means "until his feet became swollen," indicating the extreme physical exertion and prolonged standing in Qiyam. The keyword "شاكراً" (shakiran) derives from the root shin-kaf-ra, signifying acknowledgment of favor and its manifestation in action—not mere lip service. The Prophet's ﷺ rhetorical question "أفلا أكون عبداً شكوراً" (afala akunu 'abdan shakuran) employs a stylistic device of negation-as-question, emphasizing the natural obligation of gratitude. The context (Sabab al-Wurud) is the revelation of Surah Al-Fath (48:2), where Allah declares forgiveness of the Prophet's past and future sins, prompting this intensified worship. This demonstrates that divine favor, rather than diminishing effort, should exponentially increase devotion—a key linguistic and spiritual nuance often overlooked.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

• Gratitude as an Act of Worship: The hadith establishes that Shukr is not merely a state of heart but a continuous, physical manifestation through prayer and obedience. Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that the Prophet's ﷺ response redefines gratitude as "the soul's recognition of favor, the tongue's praise, and the limbs' obedience."
• Voluntary Prayer (Nafl) as a Means of Nearness: The swelling of the Prophet's ﷺ feet illustrates that supererogatory prayers, especially Qiyam al-Lail, are a primary avenue for drawing closer to Allah, even for the most beloved of creation. This underscores the legal recommendation (mustahabb) of prolonged standing in night prayer, as practiced by the Prophet ﷺ.
• No Complacency in Worship: A major jurisprudential benefit is that divine forgiveness does not negate the obligation of continued devotion. The classical consensus (Ijma') holds that the Prophet's ﷺ actions here demonstrate the perfection of 'Uboodiyyah—that the forgiven slave does not abandon worship but rather intensifies it out of sheer thankfulness. This refutes any notion that certainty of Paradise permits laxity in 'Ibadah.

"The Prophet ﷺ was not commanded to stand until his feet swelled, yet he did so voluntarily. This is the station of the grateful slave—one who sees every breath as a favor requiring endless thanks. Imam Al-Qurtubi comments: 'The Prophet's ﷺ response teaches us that the greatest worship is that which springs from love and gratitude, not from transactional expectation.'"

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

For the contemporary Muslim, this hadith is a transformative call to reevaluate the motivation behind worship. It challenges us to move beyond a checklist mentality—praying only out of habit, fear, or reward—and instead cultivate a heart overflowing with gratitude for the countless blessings of Allah, foremost among them the gift of Islam and the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ. Practical steps include: (1) Establishing a consistent portion of Tahajjud, even if short, with the intention of thanking Allah for His favors; (2) Reflecting daily on specific blessings and translating that reflection into increased acts of kindness, charity, and prayer; (3) When experiencing ease or forgiveness, intensifying rather than reducing devotional practices, mirroring the Prophet's ﷺ response to the news of his forgiveness; (4) Viewing physical fatigue in worship as a badge of honor, not a burden—the Prophet's swollen feet are a testament that sincere 'Ibadah may require sacrifice, but it is the sacrifice of a grateful heart. Ultimately, this hadith teaches that the highest form of Ihsan is to worship Allah not as one seeking, but as one thanking—transforming every prostration into a word of praise and every standing into an ode of gratitude.