Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #118

How to really thank Allaah for His favors?!

(What is real gratitude?)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى said about Nooh عليه السلام:

ذُرِّيَّةَ مَنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا

{O descendants of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah. Indeed, he was a grateful servant.}

[Surah al-Israa (17): 3]

Narrated `Aaishah رضي الله عنها: The Prophet ﷺ used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet would become swollen. I said: “O Allaah's Messenger ﷺ! Why do you do it since Allaah has forgiven you your faults of the past and those to follow?" He ﷺ said: ❝Shouldn't I love to be a thankful slave (of Allaah)?❞ When he became old, he prayed while sitting, but if he wanted to perform a bowing, he would get up, recite (some other verses) and then perform the bowing.

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4837) and the wording is his, and Saheeh Muslim (2820). This is also reported in the Saheehain on the authority of al-Mugheerah رضي الله عنه]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝There is evidence in this (narration) that (real) gratitude is to be engaged (and be steadfast) in the obedience of Allaah. The more a person increases in his obedience to his Lord, the more he will be thankful to his Lord. It is not (real) gratitude that a person (merely) says: “I thank Allaah!”, “Alhamdulillaah! (I praise Allaah!)” – this is the gratitude of the tongue. But (in this narration), the gratitude of the action is being mentioned, and this is only possible when a person engages in the actions in the obedience of Allaah – as much as one is able to.❞

[Shahr Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (2/71)]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله also said:

❝The Prophet ﷺ made these actions as part of gratitude towards Allaah for His Favors and Blessings. This is evidence that (real) gratitude is to engage (and strive) in the obedience of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى for His Favors. It is not (real) gratitude that a person (merely) says: “I thank Allaah!” This is the gratitude of the tongue, and it is not sufficient. It is a must that he should thank Allaah through his limbs and by engaging in the obedience of Allaah ﷻ. And there is evidence in this that the Prophet ﷺ used to be steadfast in his worship, out of love for it, because it is not possible for anyone to do this (i.e. to engage in long worship) except out of extreme love (for his Lord). This is why he ﷺ had said: ❝and my comfort has been provided in the prayers.❞ [Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (3939, 3940) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The Salaah (prayers) were the most beloved actions to the Prophet ﷺ.❞

[Shahr Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (5/192)]