Be Thankful to God

BE THANKFUL TO ALLAH

Unfortunately, we Muslims have fallen into the trap of Shaytan, and are so caught up in our daily affairs, that we very rarely take the time to reflect on the Favours of Allah, and to thank Him with the thanks that is due Him. We are so busy conducting our daily lives that we forget who is really in-charge, and from where our sustenance comes. 

For Allah says:
“Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, And be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.” [2:152]

The problem that most of us face is what we call the, “if I only….” syndrome. If I only had a better wife, I would be grateful. If I only had sons instead of daughters, I would be grateful. If I only had a bigger house, a better car, more money, a better job, and the list goes on and on. We are constantly focused on the things we don’t have, instead of being grateful to Allah for the things we do already have.

This is a very serious illness, for which Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has given the cure. He admonished us, in terms of worldly things, to always look to those beneath us for this will keep us thankful. Allah says about the Prophet Muhammad Pbuh that in him we have the best of example. 

It is narrated by al-Mughira that the Messenger of God used to stand (in the salaah) or perform salaah until both his feet swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable salaah) he said, “Should I not be a thankful servant of Allah?” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

As the Prophet PBUH advised us, the best way to stay thankful to God is to count His Favours in our lives everyday. For Allah says, “And He gives you all that you ask for. But if you count the favours of Allah, never will you be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude.” (14:34)

This statement of Allah is so true, yet we put so little value on it, and do not take heed. The very fact that we got up this morning, that we can offer the salaah, that we had breakfast, that we have clothes to wear, water to bathe ourselves, that we have homes to shelter us from the elements, that we have our health, our families, etc., etc., etc., are all favours from Allah, the Most Gracious. We should take none of it for granted, or become arrogant enough to believe that we attained any of it because of our own efforts alone.

Thankfulness frees the heart from greed, jealousy and envy. When we are thankful to Allah, we remain mindful of Him and His continuous Mercy toward us, and this in return humbles us and improves our character. The very fact that Allah has guided us to Islam and the sunnah of His Messenger in itself should be a source of continual praise. Allah says, “Surely We have shown him the way: he may be thankful or unthankful.” (76:3)

Allah also says in the Glorious Quran that only few of His servants thank Him. Let us then strive to be among these few by keeping our tongues wet with His remembrance and our hearts soft with His praise. Allahumma A’innaa ‘alaa Zikrika Wa Shukrika Wa Husni Ibadathika. Ameen!