How to Display Thankfulness for Allāh’s Blessings
Al-ʿAllāmah Ṣāliḥ ibn al-Fawzān
[Q]: How should one be thankful for blessings? And what are we — as Muslims — required to do with all these innumerous and incalculable blessings?
[A:] That which is required is to be thankful for the blessings, and showing gratitude for blessings guarantees the continuity [of blessings being bestowed upon you].
Allāh said:
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks, I will give you more, but if you are thankless, verily! My Punishment is indeed severe.”
[Sūrah Ibrāhīm, 14:7]
Gratitude has three pillars of which it cannot be called gratitude without:
Firstly: Acknowledging the blessings of Allāh inwardly, so that you know in yourself and in your heart that all these blessings come from Allāh, and that it is a favour from Him which he has bestowed upon you and the Muslims.
Secondly: Openly proclaim (the blessings of Allāh), Allāh mentions:
وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ
And proclaim the Grace of your Lord
[Surah al-Ḍuḥá, 93:11]
So proclaim the blessings of Allāh and thank Him for it. Remind your brothers of these blessings and incite them to show gratitude (to Allāh for these blessings).
Thirdly: Utilising (the blessings) accordingly in obedience to Allāh.
Source: الواجب إتجاه النعم
Translated by: Munīb al-Ṣumālī