In Islam, being grateful to Allah is one of the obligation, and even become the main purpose of the human creation. Not that Allah SWT is desperate for our gratitude, but it’s to remind human themselves that nothing in this world truly belong to them. What they have and what come and go from their lives is all due to Allah SWT.
There are for sure many virtues of gratefulness in Islam. As we all know, the first word of the Holy Quran is Alhamdulillah, showing the gratitude of Allah. Not only for the good things, but we must say Alhamdulillah during difficult times as well. Sadly, human are repeating to say Alhamdulillah without really mean it or not knowing the real meaning behind it. Human are not the only one who have to be grateful to Allah SWT.
“The seven heavens and the earth and all who dwell in them give glory to Him. There is not a single thing that is not chanting His praise yet you cannot understand their praise. He is ever forbearing, forgiving.” - Al Isra (17:44)
Here are more of the virtues of gratefulness in Islam:
1. Keeping Ourselves Away from Shaytaan
It has been clear that Shaytaan will always chasing human from the first day Adam AS was created until the end of the say. As Shaytaan is the being who refused to be thankful and showing gratitude to Allah SWT, by being grateful we have distinct ourselves from it.
“Then I will certainly come to them from before them and from behind them, and from the right-hand side and from the left-hand side, and You (Allah) shall not find most of them thankful.” - Al Araf (7:17)
Also read: Virtues of Night Lailatul Qadr
2. As a Gratitude to Allah SWT
If we are about to count the blessing Allah SWT continuously give to us, it is almost impossible. From our breath to our wealth, family, kids, work, intelligent, and many more is the blessing from Allah SWT. We should be grateful for all of it.
3. To Avoid Becoming Kufr
When we are forget how to be thankful to Allah SWT, then it is the time when we beome kufr. On the contrary of shukr (grateful), kufr is an ungrateful act that show one’s disbelieving in Allah’s SWT blessing. As for a true believer, he remember Allah in every step that he takes in life.
Also read: Virtues of Surah Kahf on Friday
4. It Hugely Benefits Us
We are thankful to Allah for our own good, closer in gaining His mercy and blessing.
” And whoever is grateful, he is only grateful for the benefit of his own self.” - (Luqman 31:12)
“For surely if it was not for the grace of God on you and His mercy, you would have been among the losers.” - (Al-Baqarah 2:64)
5. Showing What True Worship Means
When we said that we believe in Allah SWT, it should be manifested through action, and one way to prove it is by saying Alhamdulillah, or another ways and words to praise Him.
“… and be grateful to All?h, if it is Him you worship.” - (Al-Baqarah 2:172)
Also read: Importance of Faith in Islam
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6. Gaining Allah’s Pleasure
As human live to please Allah, we must seek for His pleasure in every doing we commit. The Prophet (peace and blessing upon him) has once said,
“Allah is pleased with His servant if, when he eats something, he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something, he thanks Allah for it.” - Muslim
7. Back to the Purpose of Human Creation
One of the purpose why human are created is to be grateful to Allah SWT.
“It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affection: that you may give thanks (to Allah).” - An Nahl (16:78)
Also read: Ways How to Improve Faith in Islam
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8. To be Successful in Life
As narrated by Ibn Abbas, the Prophet (peace and blessing upon him) said,
“There are four qualities, whoever is given them has truly been given the best in this world and the next. They are: a grateful heart (that is thankful to Allah), a remembering tongue (that mentions Allah often), an enduring body (to persevere through the trials), and a faithful wife.”
9. Training the Patience in Difficulty
Human must show his gratefulness to Allah SWT in any condition, even during the difficult times. Since there are hidden blessing in every difficulty. It’s how a true faith could b proved.
Also read: Patience in Islam
10. Getting Closer to Allah’s Mercy
Indeed, Allah SWT is Merciful. He gives mercy to every servants who ask for forgiveness, but for them who thankful toward Him, He gives it without being asked.
“Indeed God is the possessor of bounty for all people but most people do not give thanks.” - Al Baqarah (2: 243)
11. Make the True Meaning of Thanking Allah
Many Muslim unconsciously say Alhamdulillah, without fully realizing the true meaning behind it. We must take time to reflect that being grateful to Allah SWT means that we know how much He helps us and holds us all the time.
Also read: Importance of Gratitude in Islam
12. Receiving the Abundant Love from Allah
Allah has promised to give more to His servants who are grateful to Him.
“If you are grateful, I will surely give you more and more.” - Ibrahim (14:7)
How to Express Gratefulness
In Islam, there are three ways to fully express the gratefulness to Allah SWT:
1. By the Heart. Doing good deeds and always having good intentions for all of the Allah’s creation.
2. By the Tongue. Praising Allah SWT through words, saying Alhamdulillah many times, and expressing the gratitude through the tongue.
3. By the Limbs. Using all the senses in doing good deeds and staying away from everything Allah hates.
After knowing all the virtues of gratefulness in Islam, we should know be thankful and grateful more often to Allah SWT. As we wake up every morning under Allah’s will and we can rest at night is due to His mercy as well.