The Necessity of Gratitude
9/30/2013
Blog post written by the wonderful Sameen Ansari, a Senior with a Biology major at Loyola University Chicago. Let's remember to keep the contributors to this blog in our dua's, Insha'Allah :)
Since childhood we have been taught to be grateful for everything that Allah SWT provides for us. What many of us may not realize is that our actions do not always reflect this belief because we choose only to be grateful for stereotypically “good” situations. This is evident in our reaction to calamities that may occur in our life – we are often frustrated and wonder why we were put in such a situation.
So how can we rationalize that Allah SWT is Merciful, yet also chooses to test us with hardship? The following ayah addresses this question when it says:
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things (64:11).
From the previous ayah, Allah SWT clearly explains how a Muslim should rationalize times of tribulation –they are a means by which Allah SWT is guiding our heart. This is intimately connected to the issue of gratitude because the root of ingratitude stems from a lack of faith in the promise of Allah SWT. It stems from not fully believing that the trials we undergo are for our benefit. If this problem is not first recognized and then rectified, it can unknowingly persist as a barrier between a mu’min (believer) and Allah SWT.
What we need to do is realize how blessed we are that He points out our flaws through means of trials and tribulations so that we may fix ourselves in this dunya, and thereby attain a higher level of Jannah in the akhira. He believes in us more than we believe ourselves so He pushes us to accomplish what we did not believe we were capable of doing. The prime example of one who was able to not only recognize this concept, but also apply it in the highest degree was our Prophet SAS. Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
The Prophet (S) kept standing (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him: “Why do you do this, while you have been forgiven of your former and latter sins?” He said, “Should I not be a grateful servant of Allah?” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Even though the Prophet SAS was promised paradise, he recognized that being grateful is a way to strengthen your relationship with Allah SWT, because when you are grateful not only do you gladly accept that everything Allah SWT has offers you is for your benefit, but you also recognize that His method of testing you is in fact a blessing which is worthy of thanking Allah SWT for.
Practical tips to assess and rectify the issue of ingratitude:
Step 0: Assessing if you have this problem.
So how can we rationalize that Allah SWT is Merciful, yet also chooses to test us with hardship? The following ayah addresses this question when it says:
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things (64:11).
From the previous ayah, Allah SWT clearly explains how a Muslim should rationalize times of tribulation –they are a means by which Allah SWT is guiding our heart. This is intimately connected to the issue of gratitude because the root of ingratitude stems from a lack of faith in the promise of Allah SWT. It stems from not fully believing that the trials we undergo are for our benefit. If this problem is not first recognized and then rectified, it can unknowingly persist as a barrier between a mu’min (believer) and Allah SWT.
What we need to do is realize how blessed we are that He points out our flaws through means of trials and tribulations so that we may fix ourselves in this dunya, and thereby attain a higher level of Jannah in the akhira. He believes in us more than we believe ourselves so He pushes us to accomplish what we did not believe we were capable of doing. The prime example of one who was able to not only recognize this concept, but also apply it in the highest degree was our Prophet SAS. Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
The Prophet (S) kept standing (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him: “Why do you do this, while you have been forgiven of your former and latter sins?” He said, “Should I not be a grateful servant of Allah?” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Even though the Prophet SAS was promised paradise, he recognized that being grateful is a way to strengthen your relationship with Allah SWT, because when you are grateful not only do you gladly accept that everything Allah SWT has offers you is for your benefit, but you also recognize that His method of testing you is in fact a blessing which is worthy of thanking Allah SWT for.
Practical tips to assess and rectify the issue of ingratitude:
Step 0: Assessing if you have this problem.
- The way to assess your sincerity is to see how you react in times of trial or calamity –are you one that constantly complains? Are you one that is only grateful to Allah SWT in times of ease?
- Recognize you are being ungrateful; make a commitment to want to change.
- Ask yourself if you have a right to complain when there are many less fortunate than you. Remind yourself the reason of why Allah SWT puts calamity, or other trials in your life is to help you recognize your weaknesses so that you may reach your full potential. Therefore, every calamity is a blessing in disguise.
- Removing a negative mindset is a process and you must be willing to undergo it in order to improve your iman, just as you are willing to study for an exam in the dunya. If you repeatedly catch yourself being ungrateful then you can begin to identify patterns/situations that bring about ingratitude. Once you recognize your pitfalls then you can prepare to refrain from being ungrateful before that situation occurs.
- Let someone you trust know that you have this issue. Then, they can catch if you are falling into your habit.
- Pray to Allah SWT that you remain sincere in your efforts, and that He helps you identify any other lapses in your iman that you may harbor knowingly, or unknowingly. Always remember that you can’t accomplish anything except by His permission.
As many of us begin to wrap up our first set of exams of the semester, let us try to emulate our beloved Prophet (S) by
taking a moment each day to reflect on our many, countless blessings, so that we may be counted amongst Allah's grateful servants, Insha'Allah.
taking a moment each day to reflect on our many, countless blessings, so that we may be counted amongst Allah's grateful servants, Insha'Allah.