The document discusses Quranic verses and Hadiths about gratitude (shukr) and the importance of showing gratitude to Allah. It provides summaries of verses from several Surahs emphasizing the importance of gratitude and consequences of ingratitude. It also shares Hadiths where the Prophet Muhammad stresses expressing gratitude for blessings. The document then elaborates on different aspects of gratitude in Islam and how cultivating a grateful heart is integral to faith. It concludes with a story illustrating the effects of attitudes of gratitude versus ingratitude.
The document discusses Quranic verses and Hadiths about gratitude (shukr) and the importance of showing gratitude to Allah. It provides summaries of verses from several Surahs emphasizing the importance of gratitude and consequences of ingratitude. It also shares Hadiths where the Prophet Muhammad stresses expressing gratitude for blessings. The document then elaborates on different aspects of gratitude in Islam and how cultivating a grateful heart is integral to faith. It concludes with a story illustrating the effects of attitudes of gratitude versus ingratitude.
The document discusses Quranic verses and Hadiths about gratitude (shukr) and the importance of showing gratitude to Allah. It provides summaries of verses from several Surahs emphasizing the importance of gratitude and consequences of ingratitude. It also shares Hadiths where the Prophet Muhammad stresses expressing gratitude for blessings. The document then elaborates on different aspects of gratitude in Islam and how cultivating a grateful heart is integral to faith. It concludes with a story illustrating the effects of attitudes of gratitude versus ingratitude.
َأ َفاْذُك ُروِني ْذُك ْر ُك ْم َو اْش ُك ُر وا ِلي َو اَل َتْك ُفُروِن "So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me." Surah Ibrahim (14:7): َو ِإْذ َتَأَّذَن َر ُّبُك ْم َلِئن َش َك ْر ُتْم َأَلِز يَدَّنُك ْم ۖ َو َلِئن َك َفْر ُتْم ِإَّن َع َذاِبي َلَش ِديٌد "And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'" Surah An-Nahl (16:18): َو ِإن َتُعُّدوا ِنْعَم َت الَّلِه اَل ُتْح ُصوَهاۗ ِإَّن الَّلَه َلَغُفوٌر َّر ِح يٌم "And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." Surah Luqman (31:12): َو َلَقْد آَتْي َنا ُلْق َماَن اْل ِح ْك َم َة َأِن اْش ُك ْر ِلَّلِه ۚ َو َمن َيْش ُك ْر َفِإَّنَما َيْش ُك ُر ِلَنْف ِس ِه ۖ َو َمن َك َفَر َفِإَّن الَّلَه َغ ِنٌّي َح ِميٌد "And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], 'Be grateful to Allah.' And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy." Surah Ar-Rum (30:46): ِمْن آَياِتِه َأن ُيْر ِس َل الِّر َياَح ُمَبِّشَر اٍت َو ِلُيِذ يَقُك م ِّمن َّر ْح َمِتِه َو ِلَتْج ِر َي اْل ُفْل ُك ِبَأْم ِر ِه َو ِلَتْب َتُغوا ِم ن َفْض ِلِه َو َلَع َّلُك ْم َتْش ُك ُروَن "Of His signs is that He sends the winds as bringers of good tidings and to let you taste His mercy and so the ships may sail at His command and so you may seek of His bounty; perhaps you will be grateful." Surah An-Nahl (16:53): َأ َو ُك ُّل َش ْي ٍء ْح َص ْي َناُه ِفي ِإَماٍم ُّم ِبيٍن "And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help."
Surah Al-A'raf (7:10):
َو َلَقْد َأَخ ْذ َنا آَل ِفْر َع ْو َن ِبالِّسِنيَن َو َنْق ٍص ِّمَن الَّثَمَر اِت َلَع َّلُهْم َيَّذَّك ُروَن "And We certainly seized the people of Pharaoh with years of famine and a deficiency in fruits that perhaps they would be reminded." Surah Al-Insan (76:3): ِإَّنا َهَدْي َناُه الَّس ِبيَل ِإَّما َش اِكًر ا َو ِإَّما َك ُفوًر ا "Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful." Surah Fatir (35:3): َو َما آَتاُك م ِّمَن الِّر ْز ِق َفِم ن َفْض ِلِه ۖ َفِإَذا َمَّس ُك ُم الُّض ُّر َفِإَلْيِه َتْج َأُروَن "And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help." Surah Al-Infitar (82:6-8): َيا َأُّيَها اِإْلنَساُن َما َغ َّر َك ِبَر ِّبَك اْل َك ِر يِم اَّلِذ ي َخ َلَقَك َفَسَّواَك َفَعَدَلَك "O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous, Who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you?"Hadiths on Gratitude (Shukr): 1. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi) 2. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah is pleased with His servant if, when he eats something, he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something, he thanks Allah for it." (Muslim) 3. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Gratitude for the abundance you have received is the best insurance that the goodness will continue." (Tirmidhi) 4. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever does not show gratitude to the people, he has not shown gratitude to Allah." (Abu Dawud) Extensive Explanation of Gratitude (Shukr): Gratitude in Islam is a multifaceted concept that involves acknowledging and appreciating Allah's blessings, whether they are evident or concealed. It encompasses recognizing the blessings of health, sustenance, family, and all other favors bestowed upon us by our Creator. Gratitude is not solely expressed through words but should be deeply embedded in our hearts, guiding our actions and thoughts. It is an attitude of contentment, recognizing that everything good in our lives comes from Allah’s mercy and grace. 1. Gratitude Leads to Increase: Allah promises to multiply His blessings upon those who are grateful. Gratitude attracts more goodness and blessings, while ingratitude leads to spiritual impoverishment. 2. Gratitude in Adversity: True gratitude isn't confined to times of ease but extends to moments of hardship. Gratitude during trials is a testament to unwavering faith, acknowledging that trials are also blessings in disguise. 3. Gratitude in Worship: The daily acts of worship in Islam, such as Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), and Zakat (charity), are all manifestations of gratitude to Allah for His guidance and provisions. 4. Gratitude towards Others: Gratitude isn't limited to thanking Allah alone. It also involves appreciating and thanking fellow human beings for their kindness, help, and support. 5. Cultivating a Grateful Heart: To develop gratitude, one must reflect on the countless blessings bestowed upon them, maintain a positive attitude, and refrain from complaining or being unappreciative. In essence, gratitude (Shukr) in Islam is a way of life, a fundamental aspect of faith that permeates every aspect of a believer's existence. It is a continuous cycle of recognizing, acknowledging, and expressing appreciation for Allah’s blessings, leading to spiritual growth and contentment. May Allah make us among those who are truly grateful, and may He increase us in gratitude for His countless blessings. Ameen.
not showing gratitude
Quranic Verses: 1. Surah Ibrahim (14:7): " َو ِإْذ َت َأَّذ َن َر ُّب ُك ْم َلِئن َشَك ْر ُتْم َأَلِز يَد َّنُك ْم ۖ َو َلِئن َكَف ْر ُتْم ِإَّن َع َذ اِبي َلَش ِديٌدAnd [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'" 2. Surah An-Nahl (16:112): َو َض َر َب ُهَّللا َم َثاًل َق ْر َي ًة َك اَنْت آِم َن ًة ُّم ْط َم ِئَّن ًة َي ْأِتيَه ا ِر ْز ُقَه ا َر َغ ًد ا ِّمن ُك ِّل َم َك اٍن َفَكَف َر ْت ِبَأْن ُع ِم " ِهَّللا َفَأَذ اَقَه ا ُهَّللا ِلَب اَس اْلُجوِع َو اْلَخ ْو ِف ِبَم ا َك اُنوا َي ْص َن ُعوَنAnd Allah presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allah. So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing." Hadiths: 1. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi) 2. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah is pleased with His servant if, when he eats something, he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something, he thanks Allah for it." (Muslim) Scholarly Perspectives: Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim mentioned that ingratitude (Kufr ni'mah) can lead to the removal or decrease of blessings, bringing about divine displeasure. He highlighted that denial or lack of gratitude for Allah's favors is a form of disbelief (Kufr) in His blessings. Imam Al-Ghazali emphasized the detrimental effects of ingratitude on the heart and soul. He discussed how a lack of gratitude leads to spiritual emptiness, discontentment, and distance from Allah's mercy. Conclusion: From Quranic verses illustrating Allah's warning about severe consequences for ingratitude to Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasizing the importance of gratitude and the scholarly insights of Ibn Al-Qayyim and Al-Ghazali, it's clear that denying or being ungrateful for Allah's blessings can lead to spiritual and worldly repercussions. story The Story of Two Friends and Their Attitudes of Gratitude In a bustling town, there lived two friends, Ali and Hassan. Both were hardworking and devoted to their families. They were blessed with similar livelihoods and lived in neighboring houses. Ali was a man of deep gratitude. He would wake up early every morning, praising Allah for the gift of a new day. He expressed thanks for the food on his table, the health of his family, and the blessings showered upon him. His heart was filled with contentment and appreciation for what he had. On the contrary, Hassan had a different perspective. He often complained about his circumstances. He would grumble about his job, his income, and the size of his house. He frequently compared himself to others, longing for what they had and feeling dissatisfied with his own life. One year, both Ali and Hassan faced financial difficulties due to an economic downturn in the town. They experienced a decrease in their incomes, and life became more challenging. Ali, despite the hardships, remained grateful. He thanked Allah for the lessons learned through the trials and continued to appreciate the blessings that remained. He adjusted his lifestyle, budgeted wisely, and sought contentment in what he had, always believing that Allah’s wisdom surpassed his understanding. Hassan, however, became increasingly bitter. His discontentment grew, and he couldn’t see past his hardships. He often lamented about his misfortunes, dwelling on what he lacked rather than acknowledging the blessings still present in his life. As time passed, circumstances changed. The economic situation improved, and both Ali and Hassan experienced an increase in their incomes again. Ali continued to be thankful. His heart was filled with gratitude for Allah's mercy and provision during the tough times. He remained humble and appreciative, using his blessings wisely and continuing to express thanks in both good and challenging times. Hassan, despite the improvement in his circumstances, remained unhappy. His ungrateful attitude persisted. He failed to appreciate the restoration of his wealth, constantly finding new things to complain about. His heart remained discontented, and he couldn’t find happiness even in times of plenty. Eventually, their contrasting attitudes had a noticeable impact on their lives. Ali’s family thrived, and his relationships blossomed. His contentment attracted more blessings, and he lived a fulfilling life, enriched by his gratitude. Conversely, Hassan's negativity and lack of gratitude alienated him from others. His bitterness affected his relationships, and his life lacked joy and peace despite his regained wealth. Moral of the Story: The story of Ali and Hassan demonstrates that gratitude is not solely about the abundance of blessings but about the attitude one holds towards those blessings. Ali's grateful heart made even modest provisions seem bountiful, while Hassan's ingratitude made abundance feel like scarcity. Islam emphasizes the significance of gratitude as a transformative attitude that shapes one's perception of life. A heart filled with gratitude leads to contentment, peace, and an enriched life, regardless of circumstances. It is a quality that invites more blessings and strengthens one's connection with Allah
Acknowledge His Blessings:
1. Reflect Daily: Take time every day to reflect on the blessings Allah has bestowed upon you. Consider both the apparent and hidden blessings, such as health, family, sustenance, guidance, and safety. 2. Count Your Blessings: Create a habit of mentally or physically jotting down things you're grateful for. Acknowledging and enumerating these blessings reinforces a positive outlook. Express Gratitude: 3. Thankfulness in Prayer: Incorporate expressions of gratitude in your prayers (Salah). During Sujood (prostration), thank Allah for His countless blessings and His guidance. 4. Use His Blessings Rightly: Utilize the blessings Allah has granted you—be it wealth, knowledge, skills, or time—appropriately and in ways that please Him. Using these blessings positively is an act of gratitude. Remember Allah in Adversity: 5. Patience and Gratitude in Trials: When facing challenges, practice patience and gratitude simultaneously. Trust Allah's wisdom, knowing that trials also hold hidden blessings. 6. Dua (Supplication) of Gratitude: Make specific supplications expressing gratitude to Allah. Use phrases like "Alhamdulillah" (All praise is due to Allah) frequently throughout your day. Actively Cultivate Thankfulness: 7. Avoid Complaining: Refrain from excessive complaining or focusing on what you lack. Instead, shift your perspective toward being content with what Allah has decreed for you. 8. Help Others: Show gratitude to Allah by assisting and being kind to others. Using your blessings to benefit others is a way of expressing thankfulness. Conclusion: Gratitude to Allah is more than just verbal acknowledgment—it's a state of the heart, mind, and actions. Always strive to maintain a grateful attitude, regardless of circumstances. Remember, expressing gratitude to Allah for His blessings leads to increased contentment, inner peace, and a closer relationship with Him. Incorporate these practices into your daily life, seeking to deepen your connection with the Divine through consistent gratitude.