THE PRACTICE OF GRATITUDE

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Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) said:

“Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.” [Sahih Muslim]

Shukr is an Arabic term denoting thankfulness, gratitude or acknowledgment. Allah mentioned gratitude alongside iman in Surah an-Nisa 4:147 “What can Allah gain by your punishment, if you are grateful and you believe?…”  This emphasizes the importance of gratitude in the life of a Muslim.

HOW TO ENSURE THE PRACTICE GRATITUDE AS MUSLIMS

1) ACKNOWLEDGING OUR EMAAN (FAITH)

By being grateful for being a Muslim and also being among the people of eeman. Allah says in the Quran: “Exalt Allah for having guided you and that you may be grateful.” [Qur’an Surah 2, Ayah 186]. We should also be grateful that Allah has made us amongst the people that adhere to the rulings of Islam and are obedient to Allah. Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A time of patience will come to people in which adhering to one’s religion is like grasping a hot coal.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Grade: Sahih].

2) MINDSET

To ensure the practice of gratitude in our lives, we have to cultivate a gratitude mindset. This means we should focus more on what Allah has done for us and less on what we do not have yet/ things that are not working in our lives. This can be practiced by recognising the "little things" in our lives like waking up every day, being able to walk, talk, see, hear and so on and be grateful for them. Allah says in Quran 28 verse 83; “The ungrateful never prosper.”

3) AVOID COMPARISONS

As human beings, it is easier to compare our lives with others and then continue to complain and grumble. However, complaining and comparing will not make us acknowledge our blessings. The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) said: “Look at those who are beneath you and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more suitable that you should not consider as less the blessing of Allah.” [Ibn Majah].

4) BE GRATEFUL TO PEOPLE

The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) said:  “Whoever is not grateful to the people, is not grateful to Allah.” [Tirmidhi]. If our hearts can’t feel thankfulness towards people, especially our parents, we can’t sincerely feel grateful to Allah. Hence, simple acts of saying jazakallahu khayran, thank you should not be taken for granted. Acknowledging the efforts of our parents and being genuinely grateful to them should be a regular practice in our lives.

5) GRATITUDE IN ISLAM IS NOT A “ONCE IN A BLUE MOON PRACTICE”

Gratitude is not a once in a blue moon practice for a Muslim, it is a daily practice. As Muslims, our entire day is filled with adhkaar and duas that begin with remembering Allah (glory be to Him) and reciting the Dua for waking up. The effects of gratitude are cumulative, when you practice being grateful for small things daily, the effects of gratitude adds on. Your mindset slowly transforms until gratitude comes to you in your sleep on autopilot.

CONCLUSION

Gratitude is a mindset, an attitude, a choice of lifestyle we make every single day and it is for the betterment of our souls. As Allah says in Quran 31 verse 12 “Be grateful to Allah for whosoever is grateful is for the good of his own soul.”. We should also remember that Allah will reward the grateful as he promised in Quran 3 verse 145 "…And whoever desires the reward of this world – We will give him thereof, and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.”

Maryam Awofeso

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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