Gratitude

The source. Allah says: لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ "If you are grateful, I will surely give you more" (part of verse 14:7).

Thanking people is part of thanking Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever does not thank people does not thank Allah." (Abu Dawud 4811, Tirmidhi 1954)

Compare, yes, but the right way. The Prophet ﷺ advised us to look at those who have less than us, not those who have more, so that we do not belittle Allah's blessings. (Muslim 2963) On social media, we mostly see what others want to show: holidays, clothes, phones. It can make us feel we never have enough.

How to practise gratitude: • Say "al-ḥamdu lillaah" often, really thinking about what you are saying. • In the evening, write down three blessings from your day (health, a meal, a friend, a good class…). • Say thank you: to your parents for the meal, to your teacher, to the bus driver. • Use what Allah has given you for good: your time, your health, your talents.

What about you? Try it tonight: three blessings, and one person you will thank tomorrow.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Scholars often explain that gratitude goes through three doors: the heart, which recognises that the blessing comes from Allah; the tongue, which thanks Him; and actions, which use the blessing for good. Thanking Allah for your health also means not damaging it and using it to help others.

Blessings are so many that we end up no longer seeing them: "If you tried to count Allah's blessings, you could never number them" (meaning of verse 16:18). The Prophet ﷺ said that two blessings are neglected by many people: health and free time (Bukhari 6412).

Gratitude is not only for those who have everything. The Prophet ﷺ prayed at night until his feet swelled. 'Aisha asked him why, since Allah had forgiven him; he answered: "Should I not be a grateful servant?" (Bukhari 4837, Muslim 2820)

Common pitfalls: constantly comparing yourself with others on social media; noticing a blessing only once you lose it; saying "al-ḥamdu lillaah" out of habit without thinking; believing that thanking people is pointless.

Lessons to draw • Start and end your day by naming a few blessings. • Thank people precisely: "Thank you for doing this", not just "thanks". • Cut down on what pushes you to compare yourself all the time. • Use a little of your free time and health each day for something useful.

Key points • "If you are grateful, I will surely give you more" (14:7). • Thanking people is part of thanking Allah (Abu Dawud 4811, Tirmidhi 1954). • Looking at those who have less protects gratitude (Muslim 2963).

The main message Gratitude opens your eyes to everything Allah has given you: the more you thank, the more peaceful your heart and the more blessings grow.