Being thankful to Allah

Alhamdu lillahi rabbil ‘alamin. Today, we gather as brothers and sisters in faith to reflect on a fundamental aspect of our relationship with Allah – gratitude. Being thankful to Allah is a cornerstone of our worship, a key to unlocking the doors of happiness and contentment in this life and the next.

In Surah Al-Rahman, Allah reminds us, ‘And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them.’ (55:16) This verse highlights the boundless blessings Allah has bestowed upon us, from the air we breathe to the intricate complexities of our bodies and minds.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that, ‘He who does not thank Allah, does not thank people.’ (Tirmidhi) He also said, ‘Gratitude to Allah is the mark of the believer.’ (Ibn Majah)

In Surah Al-Nahl, Allah says, ‘And whatever blessings you have, it is from Allah.’ (16:53) This verse emphasizes that everything we possess, everything we achieve, is a blessing from Allah.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said, ‘When Allah blesses a servant with a blessing, and he is grateful for it, Allah says, “This is for you and more.”‘ (Muslim)

So, how can we cultivate gratitude in our lives? First, we must develop a mindset of awareness, recognizing the blessings Allah has given us. We can do this by maintaining a gratitude journal, sharing our blessings with others, or simply taking a moment each day to reflect on the good in our lives.

Second, we must express our gratitude through our actions. This can be as simple as saying ‘Alhamdu lillah’ when we experience something pleasant or as profound as making a sacrifice in thanksgiving to Allah.

Finally, we must remember that gratitude is not limited to times of ease and comfort. We must also be thankful in times of hardship and difficulty, trusting that Allah’s wisdom and mercy are always at work.

As Allah says in Surah Al-A’raf, ‘And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient.’ (7:156)

Let us make a conscious effort to cultivate gratitude in our lives. Let us remember the words of Allah, ‘And be grateful to Me and your parents; unto Me is the final destination.’ (31:14) May our hearts be filled with thankfulness, and may our lives be a testament to the boundless blessings of Allah.