بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد
It is incumbent upon a slave of Allaah that he must thank Allaah تعالى for the favors that Allaah bestowed upon him.
How to be grateful:
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said in Al-Madarij al-Saalikeen: ❝Gratitude is done with the heart, the tongue, and the
limbs:
1. With the heart through humility
and submissiveness.
2.With the tongue through
acknowledging the blessing, and praising/thanking the Benefactor,
3. And with the limbs through
obedience and devotion.❞ [1]
1. Realizing the importance of
gratitude.
2. Knowing the reward it
contains.
3. Requesting Allaah’s help in
thanking Him.
In Madaarij al-Saalikeen, Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله mentioned that Allaah تعالى
commanded His servants to be grateful, and He تعالى forbade the opposite (Kufr and ungratefulness), and He تعالى praised those who thank
Him, and with it He تعالى described
the characteristics of His few special selected slaves, and He تعالى commanded His
creation to be grateful and made it their objective. He تعالى promised them the best reward, and made it a reason for
more of His bounty, and made it a source of protection and preservation of the
blessings that He تعالى bestowed upon them.
And He تعالى mentioned that the people who really
benefit from His Aayaat (verses and signs) are those who are grateful to Him. Allaah
تعالى has assigned a name for His grateful
slaves that is a Derived of His Name, for He سبحانه وتعالى
is al-Shakoor (الشكور – the Most Appreciative, the Rewarder of
good). For He تعالى appreciates those who are grateful to Him
and rewards them abundantly for their gratitude, and this is the ultimate goal
that a slave works for and hopes from his Lord, and those who show gratitude
are indeed few. [2]
Allaah تعالى Commands His slaves to be grateful to Him:
وَاشْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ إِيَّاهُ
تَعْبُدُونَ
{And be grateful for the favor of Allaah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship} [3]
And He تعالى also said:
فَابْتَغُوا عِندَ اللَّهِ الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوهُ
وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ ۖ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
{So seek your provision from Allaah (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be brought back} [4]
Worship Allaah, for He تعالى has created you; and be grateful to Him, for He تعالى has bestowed many favors upon you.
Allaah تعالى forbade from being ungrateful:
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا
تَكْفُرُونِ
{Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I
will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favors on you) and
never be ungrateful to Me.} [5]
Real gratitude comes when a person recognizes and acknowledges the Sign’s and Favors of Allaah:
وَاللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُمْ مِنْ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
{And Allaah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you knew nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allaah)} [6]
And He تعالى also said:
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ الْفُلْكَ تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ
بِنِعْمَتِ اللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُم مِّنْ آيَاتِهِ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ
لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
{Do you not see that ships sail through the sea by the
favor of Allaah that He may show you of His signs? Indeed in that are signs for
every patient and grateful (person)}[7]
Allaah تعالى said about His Khaleel, Ibraaheem عليه السلام:
إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِلَّهِ
حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ * شَاكِرًا لِأَنْعُمِهِ
{Verily, Ibraaheem was an Ummah, devoutly obedient to
Allaah, Hanifa (i.e. to worship none but Allaah), and he was not one of those
who were polytheists (those who joined partners with Allaah in worship). [He
was] grateful (to Allaah) for His favors.} [8]
And He تعالى said about Nooh عليه السلام:
إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا
{Indeed, he was a grateful servant} [9]
The scarcity of such grateful servants in the world is a sign that they are – along with the Prophets – His chosen few:
اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا ۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ
{“Work, O
family of Dawood, in gratitude.” But (only) few of My slaves are grateful}
[10]
Allaah تعالى has promised abundant reward for those who show their gratitude:
وَسَيَجْزِي اللَّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ
{And Allaah will give reward to those who are grateful}
[11]
Allaah تعالى has promised to increase His favors to those who are grateful:
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ
لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
{And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you are
grateful (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allaah alone), I will
give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are ungrateful (i.e. disbelievers),
verily, My Punishment is indeed severe.”} [12]
He تعالى disapproves the actions of His ungrateful slaves:
وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ الْكُفْرَ ۖ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا
يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ
{And He does not approve Kufr (disbelief, ungratefulness)
for His slaves. And if you are grateful, He approves it for you} [13]
The Prophet ﷺ
as a grateful servant:
As a sign of gratitude, the Prophet ﷺ used to worship Allaah in the nights till his feet would get swollen.
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. [14]
Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله commented: ❝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.❞ [15]
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.❞ [16]
The Salaah (prayers) were the most beloved actions to the Prophet ﷺ.❞ [17]
The Prophet ﷺ sought Allaah’s help in thanking Him:
It was narrated from Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما
that the Prophet ﷺ used to say in his
supplication:
رَبِّ أَعِنِّي وَلَا تُعِنْ عَلَيَّ، وَانْصُرْنِي وَلَا
تَنْصُرْ عَلَيَّ، وَامْكُرْ لِي وَلَا تَمْكُرْ عَلَيَّ، وَاهْدِنِي وَيَسِّرِ
الْهُدَى لِي، وَانْصُرْنِي عَلَى مَنْ بَغَى عَلَيَّ، رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي لَكَ
شَكَّارًا، لَكَ ذَكَّارًا، لَكَ رَهَّابًا، لَكَ مُطِيعًا، إِلَيْكَ مُخْبِتًا،
إِلَيْكَ أَوَّاهًا مُنِيبًا، رَبِّ تَقَبَّلْ تَوْبَتِي، وَاغْسِلْ حَوْبَتِي،
وَأَجِبْ دَعْوَتِي، وَاهْدِ قَلْبِي، وَسَدِّدْ لِسَانِي، وَثَبِّتْ حُجَّتِي،
وَاسْلُلْ سَخِيمَةَ قَلْبِي
❝“Rabbi! A`innee wa laa
tu`in `alayya, wansurni wa laa tansur `alayya, wamkurlee wa laa tamkur `alayya,
wahdinee wa yassiril-hudaa lee, wansurnee `alaa man bagha `alayya.
Rabbi-j`alnee laka shakkaraa, laka dhakkaraa, laka rahhaba, laka muti`aa,
ilayka mukhbitaa, ilayka awwahan muneeba. Rabbi! Taqabbal tawbatee, waghsil
hawbatee wa ajib da`watee, wahdi qalbee, wa saddid lisaanee, wa thabbit
hujjatee, waslul sakheemata qalbee”
(O Lord! Help me and do
not help others against me, support me and do not support others against me,
plan for me and do not plan against me, guide me and make guidance easy for me,
and help me against those who wrong me. O Lord! Make me grateful to You, make
me remember You much, make me fearful of You, obedient to You, humble before
You and turning to You. O Lord! Accept my repentance and wash away my sins,
answer my supplication, guide my heart, make my tongue speak the truth, make my
proof firm and remove resentment from my heard).❞
(One of the narrators) Abul-Hasan At-Tanafisi said: I said
to Wakee`: “Shall I say it in the Qunut of Witr?” He said: “Yes.” [18]
And he ﷺ taught his companions how to seek Allaah’s help in thanking Him:
He ﷺ said: ❝O
Mu`aadh! By Allaah I love you, so I advise you to never forget to recite at the
end every prayer (before the Tasleem):
اللّهُـمَّ أَعِـنِّي عَلـى ذِكْـرِكَ ، وَشُكْـرِك ،
وَحُسْـنِ عِبـادَتِـك
“Allaahumma a`innee alaa dhikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni
`ibaadatika”
(O Allaah, help me remember You, to be grateful to You,
and to worship You in an excellent manner.)❞ [19]
The pillars of gratitude:
Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The pillars of gratitude are five:
1. Showing humility by the one
who is giving thanks to the One who he is thanking.
2. Showing love for Him.
3. Acknowledging His favors
and blessings.
4. Praising him for His
favors.
5. And not to use these favors
in the things that He dislikes.
These five are the foundations of gratitude, so when one of them is not present, one of the principles of gratitude is fundamentally broken. And whoever will talk about gratitude, he will return to these points, and his speech will revolve around these things (only).” [20]
Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله also said in Madaarij al-Saalikeen: “As for acknowledging it, that means calling it to mind, realizing its significance and recognizing it as a blessing in and of itself. So acknowledging it is done in the mind.
Appreciating it means showing humility when receiving it from the Bestower, by expressing one’s need for it and acknowledging that it came to him without him deserving it and without him paying any price; rather he sees himself as being completely dependent upon Allaah. This attitude shows true appreciation.
“Then giving praise for it”: praise for the Bestower in connection with the blessing is of two types: general and specific.
The general type is ascribing to Him the attributes of generosity, kindness, munificence and so on.
The specific type is speaking of His blessing, and stating
that it came to him from Him, as Allaah تعالى says:
وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ
{But as for the favor of your Lord, report [it]} [21]
Regarding this reporting or speaking of the blessing that is enjoined, there are two views:
The first is that it means mentioning the blessing and
speaking of it, by saying: Allaah has blessed me with such and such. Muqaatil رحمه الله said: “Give thanks
for what Allaah has mentioned of blessings to you (O Muhammad ﷺ) in this surah, such as receiving protection even after being
an orphan, receiving guidance after misguidance, and becoming self-sufficient
after poverty.” [22]
The best way to thank Allaah:
Know, that one of the greatest things a servant can do to thank his Lord عز وجل is performing the obligatory prayers, based on what Imaam al-Bukhaaree had narrated in his Saheeh.
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ said: ❝Allaah said: {I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshiper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him (i.e., the obligatory deeds); and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawaafil (optional deeds) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him.}❞ [23]
After the obligatory duties, hold fast to doing optional deeds, and the greatest, the easiest and the lightest of them is the Remembrance of Allaah.
It was narrated from `Abdullaah Ibn Busr رضي الله عنه
that a Bedouin said to the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ:
“The laws of Islaam are burdensome for me. Tell me of something that I will be
able to adhere to.” He ﷺ said: ❝Always
keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allaah عز وجل.❞ [24]
Speaking of the blessings of Allaah is gratitude:
The specific type is speaking of His blessing, and stating
that it came to him from Him, as Allaah تعالى
says:
وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ
{But as for the favor of your Lord, report [it]}
[25]
From the signs of thanking Allaah is to thank the people for their kindness:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the
Prophet ﷺ said: ❝Whoever
is not grateful to the people, he is not grateful to Allaah.❞ [26]
One of the best ways of thanking the people:
Usaqmah Ibn Zaid رضي الله عنهما
narrated that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ
said: ❝Whoever receives an act of kindness, and he (expresses
his gratitude) to his benefactor by saying:
جَزاكَ اللهُ خَـيْراً
“May Allaah reward you with
good”, then he has fully expressed his appreciation.❞ [27]
Another way of thanking the people: return the favor
Jaabir رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: ❝Whoever has a favor done for him, let him reciprocate, and if he cannot reciprocate, then let him praise [the person who did him the favor], for if he praises him, then he has thanked him, but if he conceals it, then he has been ungrateful towards him. And whoever pretends to have what he has not been given is like one who wears two garments of falsehood.❞ [28]
This Hadith mentions three types of people: one who is
grateful for the blessing and gives praise for it; one who denies it and
conceals it; and one who pretends to be one of those who were given it when
that is not the case, so he pretends to have something that he was not given.
Enjoy the life by being grateful for the small things:
❝Whoever
is not grateful for small things will not be grateful for greater things, and
whoever does not thank the people has not thanked Allaah. Speaking of the blessings
of Allaah is gratitude, and not speaking of it is ingratitude. Unity is a
mercy, and division is a punishment.❞ [29]
Proclaim the favors of Allaah, be grateful to Him, and He تعالى will preserve the blessings:
Whoever says الحمد لله when he receives a
favor from Allaah has indeed praised Him, but if he really wants to thank
Allaah, and if he wants to preserve this blessing, then let him put that
blessing into good use. He should use it in Allaah’s obedience and should not
use it in Allaah’s disobedience. He should use it in what pleases Allaah and
should not use it in what displeases Allaah. He should use it in what will
bring him closer to Allaah and should not use it in what will distance him from
Allaah.
When people are ungrateful, the favors and blessings are taken away:
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه
that he heard Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ
saying: ❝Allaah willed to test three Israaeelis, who were: a
leper, a blind man and a bald-headed man. So, He تعالى
sent them an Angel who came to the leper and said: “What thing do you like
most?” He replied: “Good color and good skin, for the people have a strong
aversion to me.” The Angel touched him and his illness was cured, and he was
given a good color and beautiful skin. The Angel asked him: “What kind of
property do you like best?” He replied: “Camels.” So he (i.e. the leper) was
given a pregnant she-camel, and the Angel said (to him): “May Allaah bless you
in it.” The Angel then went to the bald-headed man and said: “What thing do you
like most?” He said: “I like good hair and wish to be cured of this disease,
for the people feel repulsion for me.” The Angel touched him and his illness
was cured, and he was given good hair. The Angel asked (him): “What kind of
property do you like best?” He replied: “Cows.” The Angel gave him a pregnant
cow and said: “May Allaah bless you in it.” The Angel went to the blind man and
asked: “What thing do you like best?” He said: “(I like) that Allaah may
restore my eye-sight to me so that I may see the people.” The Angel touched his
eyes and Allaah gave him back his eye-sight. The Angel asked him: “What kind of
property do you like best?” He replied: “Sheep.” The Angel gave him a pregnant
sheep. Afterwards, all the three pregnant animals gave birth to young ones, and
multiplied and brought forth so much that one of the (three) men had a herd of
camels filling a valley, and one had a herd of cows filling a valley, and one
had a flock of sheep filling a valley. Then the Angel, disguised in the shape
and appearance of a leper, went to the leper and said: “I am a poor man, who
has lost all means of livelihood while on a journey. So none will satisfy my
need except Allaah and then you. In the Name of Him Who has given you such nice
color and beautiful skin, and so much property, I ask you to give me a camel so
that I may reach my destination.” The man replied: “I have many obligations (so
I cannot give you).” The Angel said: “I think I know you; were you not a leper
to whom the people had a strong aversion? Weren't you a poor man, and then
Allaah gave you (all this property)?” He replied: “(This is all wrong), I got
this property through inheritance from my fore-fathers.” The Angel said: “If
you are telling a lie, then let Allaah make you as you were before.” Then the Angel,
disguised in the shape and appearance of a bald man, went to the bald man and
said to him the same as he told the first one, and he too answered the same as
the first one did. The Angel said: “If you are telling a lie, then let Allaah
make you as you were before.” The Angel, disguised in the shape of a blind man,
went to the blind man and said: “I am a poor man and a traveler, whose means of
livelihood have been exhausted while on a journey. I have nobody to help me
except Allaah, and after Him, you yourself. I ask you in the Name of Him Who
has given you back your eye-sight to give me a sheep, so that with its help, I
may complete my journey.” The man said: “No doubt, I was blind and Allaah gave
me back my eye-sight; I was poor and Allaah made me rich; so take anything you
wish from my property. By Allaah, I will not stop you for taking anything (you
need) of my property which you may take for Allaah’s sake.” The Angel replied: “Keep
your property with you. You (i.e., the three men) have been tested, and Allaah
is pleased with you and is angry with your two companions.”❞ [30]
اللّهُـمَّ أَعِـنَّا عَلـى ذِكْـرِكَ ، وَشُكْـرِك ، وَحُسْـنِ
عِبـادَتِـك
[1]
Madaarij al-Saalikeen (2/237)
[2]
Paraphrased from Madaarij al-Saalikeen (2/232-233)
[3]
Surah al-Nahl (16): 114
[4]
Surah al-`Ankaboot (29): 17
[5]
Surah al-Baqarah (2): 152
[6]
Surah al-Nahl (16): 78
[7]
Surah Luqmaan (31): 31
[8]
Surah al-Nahl (16): 120
[9]
Surah al-Israa’ (17): 3
[10]
Surah Saba (34): 13
[11]
Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 144
[12]
Surah Ibraaheem (14): 7
[13]
Surah al-Zumar (39): 7
[14]
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
[15]
Shahr Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (2/71)
[16]
Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (3939, 3940) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee
[17]
Shahr Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (5/192)
[18]
Sunan Abu Dawood (1510), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3551), Sunan Ibn Maajah (3830) and
the wording is his, al-Adab al-Mufrad (664, 665), and graded as “Saheeh” by
Shaikh al-Albaanee
[19]
Sunan Abu Dawood (1522), Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (1303), al-Adab al-Mufrad (690) and
graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee
[20]
Madaarij al-Saalikeen (2/234)
[21]
Surah al-Duha (93):11
[22]
Madaarij al-Saalikeen (2/238-239)
[23]
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6502)
[24]
Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3375), Sunan Ibn Maajah (3793), and graded as “Saheeh” by
Shaikh al-Albaanee
[25]
Surah al-Duha (93):11
[26]
Sunan Abu Dawood (4811), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1954), al-Adab al-Mufrad (218),
and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. The Hadeeth is also reported on
the authority of Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه, Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1955)
[27]
Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2035), and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee
[28]
Narrated by Al-Bukhari in al-Adab Al-Mufrad (215) and graded as “Saheeh” by
Shaikh al-Albaanee. Also reported in Sunan Abu Dawood (4813), and Sunan
al-Tirmidhee (2034), and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. See
al-Saheehah (617)
[29]
Musnad Ahmad (18449, 18450, 19350, 19351), and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh
al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (667) from the narration of Nou`maan Ibn Basheer رضي الله عنه.
[30]
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3464) and Saheeh Muslim (2964)
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