God reminds us, “The seven heavens and the earth and all who dwell in them give glory to Him. There is not a single thing that is not chanting His praise yet you cannot understand their praise. He is ever forbearing, forgiving” (Quran, 17:44). “….and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” (Quran Al-Baqarah:216).
“If you are thankful I will add more (favors) unto you but if you show ingratitude then my punishment is terrible indeed”(14:7).
We endowed Luqman with wisdom: ‘Be thankful to God: whoever gives thanks benefits his own soul, and as for those who are thankless––God is self-sufficient, worthy of all praise’” (31:12).
Prophet Abraham describes God’s blessings in the most beautiful way: “…Who created me, and He
“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.” (Quran 27:19)
God asks us a simple question: “Why should God make you suffer torment if you are thankful and believe in Him? God always rewards gratitude and He knows everything” (Quran, 4:147).
Prophet Sulaiman said, as stated in the Quran, “. . . then when (Sulaiman (Solomon)) saw it placed before him, he said: “This is by the Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his own self, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his own self). Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful” [An-Naml: 40].
ibn al-qayyim said, “patience can be defined as a manner of spiritual superiority by virtue of which we refrain ourselves from doing evil. it is also a faculty of the intellect that enables us to live properly in this world.” Qatada said, “Allah has created angels having reason but with no desires, animals have desires and no reason, and man has both reason and desires. Therefore, if one’s reason is stronger than his desires, he is like an angel. On the other hand, if his desires are stronger, he is like an animal.” (ibn Al-Qayyim – “The Way to Patience and Gratitude.”).
“……..whoever strives to be patient, Allah will make him patient” (Al-Bukhari).”
Gratitude’s importance was emphasized by the Prophet when he took the hand of Mu’aadh ibn Jabal and said: “O Mu’aadh, by Allah I love you, by Allah I love you.” Then he said, “I advise you, O Mu’aadh, do not fail to say this after every prayer: O Allah help me to remember You, to thank You and to worship You properly.” The Arabic version of this Hadith is the following. Let’s ensure that we memorize it and recite it after every prayer.
Allahumma A’inni Ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibadatika
Oh Allah, if I pray, then I do so by Your favor, if I give charity, then I do so by Your favor, and if I spread Your message, then I do so by Your favor. How can I show (complete) gratitude to You!?
Allah responded: Oh Musa, now you have showed gratitude.
Imaan is of two halves; half is patience (Sabr) and half is being thankful (Shukr).
More than one from amongst the Salaf said: ‘Patience is half ofImaan.’
Abdullaah bin Masood – radi Allaahu anhu – said: ‘Imaan is of two halves: half is patience and half is gratitude.’
This is why Allaah – Subhanahu – combines patience and being thankful in His saying: <<Truly, in this there are signs for every patient, thankful person.>>
Allah, Exalted is He, says: “If Allah took mankind to task by that which they deserve, He would not leave a living creature on the surface of the earth; but He grants them reprieve unto an appointed term, and when their term comes – then verily Allah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves.” [Fatir (35):45]
‘As a Favour from Us, thus do We reward him who gives thanks (by obeying Us).’ (Al-Qamar 54:35).
“Verily, your Lord is full of Grace for mankind, yet most of them do not give thanks.” (An-Naml 27:73).
‘Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?’ (Ar-Rahman 55:13).
‘All the praises and thanks be to Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. His is all the praises and thanks in the Hereafter, and He is the All-Wise All-Aware.’ (Saba’ 34:1).
Benefits of Gratitude
[it is who] guides me. And it is He who feeds me and gives me drink; and when I am ill, it is He who cures me; and who will cause me to die and then bring me to life; and who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgment.” (Quran 26:78-85).
