SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE TO THE LORD ALMIGHTY

Brother Khalid   

The golden principle given in the Holy Quraan to achieve a positive attitude and true peace of mind is “Shukr”, which means thanking Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) for whatever He has given us. According to an agreed Hadeeth, the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said, “The case of a momin (true Muslim) is unique. Whatever Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) decides for him is best for him. If he gets into difficulty, he shows forbearance and trust in Allah, which is good for him. If he is blessed with happiness, he thanks Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), which is also good for him. Only the true faithful are blessed with this inner satisfaction and solace.”

The Quraan itself reveals: “But Allah will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude.” (Aale Imraan: 144)

Again, at another point, it has been revealed: “What can Allah gain by your punishment if you are grateful and you believe.” (Surah An Nisaa: 147)

Strange are the ways of man. He gets the taste of death every night when he goes to sleep, not knowing whether he will get up again or not, but he does not seek Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s forgiveness before going to sleep.

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) gives him a new life every morning, but he does not thank Him for this chance. The Holy Quraan says, “It is He who takes your souls by night, and has knowledge of what you have done by day (for which you will be answerable). Then after that He makes you arise (from this death-like state), so as to complete the time predestined for you. In the end, you will be returned to Him. Then will He show you the truth of all that you did.” (Surah Al An’aam: 60)

When Iblees (Shaitaan) was declared the meanest of creatures and ousted from the heavens for showing arrogance, he said, “Give me respite until the day (the dead) will be raised.” We (Allah) said, “be thou among those who have respite.” He (Iblees) said, “because You have thrown me out of the way, I will be in ambush for those who will follow Your way, the (correct and) right way. Then after that I will catch them from their fronts and from their backs and from their right and from their left. And You will not find the majority of them being grateful.” (Surah Al-A’raaf:4-17)

The above Aayaat (Verses) warns us that the aim of Shaitaan is to make us ungrateful and unthankful to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). The assault of evil is from all sides. It takes advantage of every weak point, and sometimes even our good and generous sympathies are used to tempt us into the snare of evil.

Man must, under all circumstances, be grateful to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) for His loving care, but in his folly he often forgets his gratitude and unknowingly promotes the cause of Shaitaan. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says, “O you believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and Salaah (Prayer), for Allah is with those who are patiently steadfast.” (Surah Al Baqarah: 153)

It is further stated, “Be sure we shall test you with a few things such as fear and hunger, some loss in assets (of all types), and lives, or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings (blessings and cheer) to those who bear calamity; those who say when afflicted with calamity, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him is our return.’ They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Rabb, and mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (Surah Al Baqarah:155-157)

The Holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) has said, “Whatever distress and pain or difficulty or worry is suffered by a true believer in this world, even though it may be a thorn prick, Allah makes it a source of pardoning some of his faults and wrong deeds in the hereafter.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) always helps those who are grateful to Him. In the early stages of Islam, Muslims were a small band in Makkah al Mukarramah, despised and rejected, living in a state of insecurity, persecuted and exiled.

In spite of all their difficulties, they were grateful to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). Then Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) provided them a safe place in Madinah al Munawwarah. They found friends and helpers, and at length they got a base where they could practice Islam at individual and collective level in the society and send groups of Muslims to spread the message of Islam the world over.

This fact has been mentioned in Quraan. “ And remember what time ye were few and downtrodden in the land fearing that the people would snatch you away; then He gave you refuge and strengthened you with His succor, and provided you with good things that haply ye might return thanks.” (Surah Al Anfaal: 26)

The important question is: why are Muslims of today not getting similar aid from Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)? Perhaps because they have forgotten the basic principle of practicing Islam in true sense that of course include the attribute of forbearance, tolerance and of being grateful to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). This lesson applies to every individual in some form or the other.

His spiritual life begins humbly; he is despised and perhaps persecuted. He suffers temporary losses and setbacks, but if he remains steadfast and grateful to Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), then He gives him strength and he is sustained until his highest spiritual desires are fulfilled.

We have a tendency of becoming ungrateful and rebellious even if minor calamities befall us. We must overcome this tendency and thank Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) at all times, if we wish to receive His help and blessings.

The Quraan says, “And if We let man taste mercy from us, and thereafter withdraw it from him, verily he is despairing, blaspheming. And if We let him taste favor after harm hath touched him, he saith: the ills have departed from me; verily he becometh elated, boastful. Not so are those who persevere and do righteous works. Those! theirs shall be forgiveness and a great hire. (Surah Hood: 9-11)

If we have faith in Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and thank Him in prosperity and adversity, then we will certainly have mental peace and solace in life. If we thank Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) for whatever He has given us, He promises to be more favorable to us.

We must remember that no human being can be our Razzaaq (provider of sustenance). No man can give us anything that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has not destined for us and no human being can stop from coming to us, what Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has destined for us.

The Book of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says, “O you human beings! Something is being explained through an example, so listen to it (carefully): It is a fact that people who pleads to others rather than Allah, those others are not capable of creating a fly, even if all of them get together to do so. And if a fly snatches anything from them, they cannot save the thing back (from that fly). Powerless is the seeker and the one from whom sought.” (Surah Al Haj:73)

Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has created this world to suit the needs of His masterpiece creation — the human being — so that he may always be grateful to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). The more he is grateful to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), the more will be his comfort and peace of mind.

It is mentioned in the Quraan, “It is out of His mercy that He has made for you, night and day, that you may rest there in, and that you may seek His grace; and in order that you may be grateful.” (Surah Al Qasas: 73)

We must understand one thing clearly that the need to be grateful to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is for man’s own good and not for any benefit to the Lord Almighty, for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is above all needs.

The Quraan says, “Truly human being is ungrateful to his Rabb. And indeed he bears witness to himself (by his deeds). And violent is he in his love for wealth.” (Surah Al Aadiyaat: 6-8)

Man who either does not receive guidance or does not heed to guidance, is indeed ungrateful. This ingratitude may be shown by thoughts, words or deeds — by forgetting or denying Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His goodness, by misusing His gifts, or by injustice to His creatures.

Most of us waste our energies and health, envying other people for their wealth, power and possessions. What a self-inflicted injury to ourselves! Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) clearly warns us, “Strain not your eyes (wistfully) at what We have given to some among them for benefit (in this life), nor grieve over them: but instead, lean towards true believers momineen (in gentleness).” (Surah Al Hajar: 88)

In view of the divine guidance it becomes quite clear that if we wish to lead a healthy and prosperous life, with complete peace of mind, we must shun the maladies of avarice, greed, envy and jealousy. We must learn to exercise patience and forbearance and thank Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) under all circumstances. The golden rule for real solace in life is explained in the Holy Book of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), “Say: truly, my Salaah and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah, the Rabb (cherisher) of the worlds.” (Surah Al An’aam: 162)

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