(Part 1)
Gratitude is a great virtue which impacts our wealth and health beautifully, if applied in our lives daily. It is a Universal Law that Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) has positioned in this Universe since creation, which influences lives irrespective of gender, religion or nationality, when applied genuinely. Moreover it is one of Allah’s 99 names, Al Shakoor (The Grateful).
In various verses of the Qur’an Allah (SWT) has commanded us to be thankful: “Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me .” He also says, “No! But worship Allah and be among the thankful.” There are many more verses in the Quran which reiterate this theme of gratitude. Likewise Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) emphasized the importance of gratitude in many hadiths. Abu Hurairah quoted the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as having said, “He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah” (reported by Ahmad, Tirmidhi). Healso said, “Whoever does you a favor, then reciprocate, and if you cannot find anything with which to reciprocate, then pray for him/her until you think that you have reciprocated.”
Benefits of Gratitude:
- It is the Cause of more Blessings from Allah
Allah always showers us with blessings in our daily lives. However, He promises in the Qur’an, “If you are grateful I will increase you.” Surely by contemplating this verse it is a blessing in itself, because it shows us the importance of being grateful towards Allah and people who support or help us in anyway, as the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said in the quotation above.
- Gratitude Trains us to be Positive, Optimistic and Healthy People
By being grateful towards Allah and people, we develop a sense of positivity and optimism in our lives, which certainly leads to more abundance and prosperity as Allah promised us in the previous verse. In addition, studies show we acquire good health, physically and psychologically, by being optimistic and positive. Gratitude also teaches us to become more patient. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.” (narrated by Muslim).
- Gratitude Prevents us from Allah’s Punishment
“Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked Him and have believed in Him. And Allah is Ever All-Appreciative (of good), All-Knowing.” Allah (SWT) gave us a way to escape from His punishment by believing in Him and thanking Him for everything good or bad as narrated by ‘Aishah (RA), “When the Prophet saw something that pleased him, he would say, “All praise and thanks are only for Allah, the One who, by His blessings and favors, perfect goodness/good works are accomplished”, and when he saw something that displeased him, he would say, “All praise and thanks are only for Allah in all circumstances.”
- Pleasing Allah
Allah (SWT) said, “ If you reject (Allah), truly Allah has no need of you; but He does not like ingratitude from His servants. If you are grateful, He is pleased with you.” Seeking Allah’s pleasure is one of our main objectives in life, for pleasing Him is the way for us to enter Paradise.
- It is for your own benefit!
When you give thanks to Allah, it is for your own benefit as Allah (SWT) made it clear, “And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself.” God will not benefit anything from our gratitude; instead we are the beneficiaries in many aspects in our lives and the Hereafter, as listed above. Hence, wouldn’t you like to be amongst those who Allah (SWT) mentioned in the Quran, “And few of My servants are grateful”?
By: Sabra Almaashari
