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Chapter 1.2. Elucidation of the Meaning of Favours
lbn Majah records on the authority of Anas that the Prophet said, "There is no favour which Allah bestows upon His servant for which he says, 'al-Hamdulillah,' except that which he gave was better than that which he took." [Ibn Majah] This was also stated by Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, al-Hasan, and others from amongst the Salaf.
The meaning of this has troubled a great number of scholars, past and present, but if it is understood in the light of our preceding discussion, its meaning is obvious. The meaning of favour mentioned in the hadith is worldly favour and the statement of praising Allah is one of the religious favours. Religious favours are better than worldly favours. Now, because the favour of praising Allah has been attributed to the servant since he articulated it, Allah considers him as giving the greater favour as a return for the original favour (When in reality it is Allah who granted both). This is why it is mentioned in a narration, al-Hamdulillah, with a praise that befits and suffices His favours; represses His retribution; and acts as return for His addition.'
When understood in this light, the statement of praise is the imbursement of Paradise.
Chapters
Chapter 1
The Great Principle
Chapter 1.1
Al-hamdulillah is the Imbursement of every Favour
Chapter 1.2
Elucidation of the Meaning of Favours
Chapter 1.3
Both Paradise & Deeds are from the Grace of Allah
Chapter 1.4
Misery and Felicity Occur through His Justice and Mercy
Chapter 1.5
Allah's Blessings can Never be Truly Repaid
Chapter 1.6
One of the Greatest Blessings is Gratitude
Chapter 1.7
Acknowledging the Grace of Allah
Chapter 2
The Most Beloved Deeds to Allah
Chapter 3
The Meaning of "Saddidu wa Qaribu"
Chapter 3.1
A Noble Principle
Chapter 3.2
The Ease of this Religion
Chapter 4
The Meaning of "the beginning of the day", "the end of the day," & "a portion of the latter part of the night"
Chapter 5
The Meaning of Moderation
Chapter 5.1
Travelling the Path of Allah, Mighty and Magnificent
Chapter 5.2
Deeds are by their Conclusion
Chapter 5.3
The Excellence of Drawing Close to Allah
Chapter 5.4
The Types of Reaching Allah
Chapter 6
Islam, Iman, Ihsan
Chapter 6.1
The Periods of Morning and Evening
Chapter 6.2
Those who Hold to the World and those who Hold on to the Hereafter
Chapter 7
The Unexpected Confrontation
Chapter 7.1
The Types of Actions that will be as Scattered Dust
Chapter 7.2
Sadness in the World & Misery in the Hereafter
Chapter 7.3
Beware, beware!