Gratitude, (or shukr), is a fundamental concept in Islam. It reflects our recognition of Allah’s countless blessings and serves as a way to show our devotion to Him. The Quran and Hadith emphasize the importance of being grateful, encouraging us to thank Allah for His mercy, sustenance, and victories.
In my previous post, I discussed how gratitude can be a powerful tool for personal growth and unlocking high performance.
In this post, we will explore the different aspects of gratitude from the Quran and Hadith.
1. Gratitude: A Fundamental Yet Infrequent Quality
Gratitude is one of the most essential virtues in Islam. It represents an acknowledgment of Allah’s countless blessings and is a means of demonstrating our devotion to Him. While it is fundamental to our relationship with Allah, the Quran highlights that few truly embody this quality. Allah commands us to be grateful for His mercy, sustenance, and all the other countless gifts He has bestowed upon us.
Allah says:
“اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا ۚوَ قَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ”
“Do work, O family of David, in gratitude; and few of My servants are grateful.” (Surah Saba 34:13)
This verse speaks to the story of Prophet Dawood (David) and his family, who were given immense blessings by Allah. Allah instructed them to express their gratitude through their actions, specifically through their work and deeds. Despite Allah’s countless blessings upon us, true thankfulness remains rare among humanity.
Gratitude in Islam is not limited to words; it involves a sincere recognition of Allah’s favors, expressed in the heart and through action. It is a continuous practice that requires acknowledging Allah’s mercy and using His blessings in ways that please Him. True gratitude means recognizing our dependence on Allah and striving to return His blessings through worship, good deeds, and avoiding sin.
2. Gratitude To Allah’s Sustenance As A Form Of Worship
Gratitude in Islam is much more than just saying “thank you.” It is a form of worship and an expression of faith. When we show gratitude, we acknowledge that all blessings come from Allah, and in doing so, we reaffirm our relationship with Him.
“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ”
“O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is Him that you worship.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:172)
In this verse, Allah not only reminds us to enjoy His favors but also commands us to show gratitude. True worship involves acknowledging the source of all blessings—Allah—and giving thanks through both words and actions.
3. Gratitude In Times Of Victory
The Quran teaches us that victory and success are gifts from Allah, and it is important to show gratitude when we experience them.
“وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ ۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ”
“And Allah had already given you victory at Badr while you were weak. So fear Allah that you may be grateful.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:123)
Gratitude is a matter of thanking Allah during times of ease and victory. The verse reminds us that those who truly fear Allah show gratitude, as it is through His mercy and support that success is granted.
4. Gratitude Leads To More Blessings
Allah promises that when we show gratitude, He will increase His blessings. This is a reminder that gratitude is not only a virtue in itself, but also a means to attract further blessings.
“وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ”
“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed: ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase your favor upon you; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’” (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)
Gratitude is a key to unlocking more of Allah’s mercy and blessings. This verse emphasizes that gratitude leads to an increase—whether in wealth, health, or spiritual contentment—while ingratitude leads to loss.
5. Gratitude For The Blessings Of Hearing And Sight
Among the countless blessings that Allah bestows upon us are the senses of hearing, sight, and knowledge. These gifts, vital to our interaction with the world, are mentioned in the Quran as a reminder of Allah’s blessing and as a call to gratitude. Allah says:
“وَاللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّنْ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالأَبْصَارَ وَالأَفْئِدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ”
“And Allah brought you out from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing, vision, and hearts that you might be grateful.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:78)
This verse reminds us to reflect on the profound blessings of our senses, which are often overlooked until they are impaired or lost. As Allah has granted us these invaluable gifts, it is our duty to show gratitude through acknowledgment, worship, and the responsible use of these senses in ways that please Him.
6. Gratitude Distinguishes Believers From Disbelievers
Gratitude is a sign of faith, while ingratitude is associated with disbelief. Allah says:
“إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا”
“Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.” (Surah Al-Insan 76:3)
This verse illustrates that shukr is a choice, and choosing gratitude is choosing the path of righteousness and faith.
Gratitude In The Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) embodied gratitude in his daily life, often setting a high standard for us to follow.
The Prophet (PBUH) was known to pray for long hours at night, even to the point where his feet would swell. When asked why he exerted himself so much when Allah had forgiven his past and future sins, he replied:
“أَفَلَا أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا؟”
“Shall I not be a grateful servant?” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
This teaches us that gratitude is not just verbal acknowledgment but is best expressed through our actions, especially acts of worship.
The Rewards of Gratitude
Gratitude (shukr) is a virtue with immense rewards, both in this life and the Hereafter. The Quran and Hadith highlight the elevated status of those who are grateful and the blessings Allah bestows upon them.
1. Gratitude is the Path to more blessing:
Allah promises to increase His blessings for those who are grateful:
“وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ”
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].” (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)
Gratitude preserves existing blessings and attracts new ones, making it a means of sustaining and multiplying Allah’s favors.
2. Gratitude Protects from Punishment:
Allah states that gratitude and faith shield a person from His punishment:
“مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَآمَنتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًا”
“What would Allah do with your punishment if you are grateful and believe, And Allah is Ever All-Appreciative (of good), All-Knowing” (Surah An-Nisa 4:147)
3. A Trait of the Prophets:
Gratitude was a defining trait of the prophets. By showing gratitude to Allah, we align ourselves with their noble example and elevate our own spiritual standing.
Allah describes Prophet Nuh (Noah):
“إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا”
“Indeed, he was a grateful servant.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:3)
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was also praised:
“شَاكِرًا لِأَنْعُمِهِ”
“Grateful for His blessings.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:121)
4. Gratitude Brings Allah’s Satisfaction:
Allah declares:
“وَإِنْ تَشْكُرُوا يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ”
“And if you are grateful, He is satisfied with you.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:7)
5. The Grateful Will Be Rewarded:
Allah has promised great rewards for the grateful in the Hereafter:
“وَ سَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ”
“And We will reward the grateful.” (Surah Aal-E-Imran 3:145)
Conclusion
Gratitude, in its essence, is the cornerstone of a believer’s relationship with Allah. It is an acknowledgment of His blessings, a form of worship, and a way to cultivate humility and contentment in our hearts. By showing gratitude for His mercy, sustenance, and victories, we not only fulfill our duty as His servants but also open ourselves to receive even more of His abundant blessings. May we be among those who are truly grateful for all that Allah has given us.
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