By Barr Olori Aje Adam
Today, let us reflect more deeply on what gratitude to Allah truly entails and how a believer can sincerely express appreciation to the Lord of all worlds*.
Our reflection is drawn from Suratul An-Naml, verse 40, where Allah recounts what transpired between Nabiy Sulayman (peace be upon him) and his companions after the magnificent throne of Queen Bilqis was brought before him in the blink of an eye. Allah (SWT) says:
“Then when Sulayman saw it placed firmly before him, he said: ‘This is by the grace of my Lord, to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful, his gratitude is only for his own benefit; and whoever is ungrateful, then indeed my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous.’”
This profound verse teaches us that Prophet Sulayman (AS), despite his unmatched kingdom, power, wisdom and authority, never attributed the miracle to himself or to the brilliance of his companion. Instead, he immediately recognized it as a favour from Allah (SWT) and understood that every blessing is also a test, a test of whether we will remain humble and grateful or become proud and heedless.
True gratitude therefore begins with recognizing that every good we possess is from Allah (SWT) alone.
From this verse, we learn that gratitude consists of three interconnected stages:
1) Recognizing the blessing as a blessing.
2) Receiving the blessing with humility.
3) Showing appreciation to the Giver of the blessing.
- A) Recognizing the blessing as a blessing
Many times, we become so accustomed to Allah’s favours that we begin to see them as ordinary rights rather than extraordinary mercies. Good health, peace of mind, shelter, family, provision, guidance, and even the ability to breathe freely are blessings which many of us overlook until they are taken away.
The first step towards sincere gratitude is deep reflection. Reflection makes us realize that no matter our struggles, there are countless others praying for the very things we currently possess. It reminds us that where we are today is not merely by intelligence, strength, qualification or effort, but by the mercy and favour of Allah (SWT).
When a servant truly reflects, arrogance melts away and gratitude naturally fills the heart.
- B) Receiving blessings with humility
After recognizing a blessing, the next step is to humbly acknowledge its true source, Allah (SWT).
A believer does not allow blessings to inflate his ego. Rather, he makes sure that blessings increases his humility, obedience and closeness to Allah (SWT), the source and endower of all blessings.
As a Muslim, whenever Allah answers a prayer that once left us in tears during Tahajjud, the proper response is not arrogance, extravagance or disobedience, but sincere prostration and appreciation to the One who answered us.
Sadly, some people celebrate Allah’s favours in ways that displease Him, through arrogance, unlawful gatherings, pride or showing off. This is a dangerous sign of attributing the blessing to oneself or to others besides Allah (SWT).
Every blessing should lead the heart back to Allah, not away from Him.
- C) Appreciating the Giver of the blessing
There is a significant difference between celebrating a blessing and appreciating the Giver of the blessing.
Many people become attached to the gift while neglecting the Giver. They celebrate wealth but forget the Provider; they rejoice over children but neglect the One who granted them; they enjoy health while failing to worship the One who preserved it for them.
A true believer understands that the greatest celebration of blessings is to use them in the obedience of Allah. Wealth should lead to charity, knowledge should lead to guidance, influence should lead to justice, and strength should lead to service to humanity. Anything otherwise is ungratefulness which Allah equates with disbelieve.
The real proof of gratitude to Allah (SWT) is not merely words spoken by the tongue, but in obedience to Him (SWT) demonstrated through actions.
Therefore, whenever Allah blesses you, let that blessing become a means of drawing nearer to Him. Never use His favours in acts of disobedience. Never allow blessings to make you forget the One and only Allah (SWT) who gave them.
In all, true gratitude or the truth of our saying ‘Alhamdulillahi’ means:
- a) recognizing every favour as a blessing from Allah,
- b) humbly accepting that it is by His grace and not our entitlement,
- c) and using those blessings in ways that please Him and benefit His creation.
May Allah (SWT) make us among His truly grateful servants. May He never allow our blessings to become a cause of arrogance or distance from Him. May He fill our hearts with humility, our tongues with His praise, and our lives with total obedience to Him. May every favour He bestows upon us become a means of attaining His mercy, forgiveness and eternal pleasure.
Life is but moments…
By Barr Olori Aje Adam
Still in the mood of celebration, I noticed that, one profound lesson from the much anticipated, long-envisioned, and eagerly awaited Eidul-Adha, which has now come and gone, is that, life is ultimately nothing more than a collection of fleeting moments and this Jum’at, i intend to share mind on that.
There is no doubting the fact that this life is but a stage in our journey, and our destination comes after death. Every soul shall die, and die shall we, each at our appointed time.
While we are here, I intend to draw our attention to the truth that what is truly ours in this life is the ‘moments’ we live.
Why?
All our possessions in this world were never truly ours, they belong to the earth, and ultimately, they will be reclaimed by it.
All memories, whether of good or bad times, are left to the passage of time and time, indeed, will tell.
Families, friends, spouses, and children, all belong to their own journeys.
Even our body parts belong to the dust, and to the dust, they will return and decompose.
Our souls, however, belong solely to Almighty Allah (SWT) and to Him is its ultimate return.
So, in reality, the only thing we truly possess in this life is ‘moments’. Every moment of our lives is ours to live, to value, and to shape.
Imam Al-Hassan Al- Basri was once quoted to have said;
Each day has its own unique song that goes as follows:
I am a new day, and I will be called to testify for or against you regarding your actions and deeds. So, take advantage of the opportunity I offer, for I exist only for today and once I pass, I shall never return, until the Day of Judgment, when I will bear witness to how you used or wasted me.
Life is just ‘moments’, so treasure and love your moments. Engage them productively, dedicating them to the things that bring lasting joy in the life after death. Those things does not lie in the accumulation of wealth, but in the depth of our compassion and the generosity of our hearts. Our lives are enriched and our places hereafter is defined through mercy and kindness, rooted in faith and as extended to others.
Therefore, I urge you to always live in your moments, not by them. It is your present that deserves your attention and not your past. The past has already gone and must be left behind. Do not dwell in it. Past moments are spent, and they passed without much control so, let them rest where they belong, in the past.
If what we truly have in this life are moments, then let us treasure them. Let us cherish each day and the moments it brings and as you gracefully embrace this new day, I urge you to: choose joy, choose growth, and choose peace. Let the light within you shine in harmony with the brightness of this Jum’at day.
Be alive throughout the day, and take a moment to look around, you will find countless reasons to smile, and endless blessings to be grateful for.
And when the day finally winds down, let your heart be filled with gratitude and let gratitude be your closing song.
I wish you more peace, more joy, more happiness, more laughter, more cuddles, more blessings and more of everything that makes your soul come alive. May your Ibaadah today be intimate, refreshing, and transformational.
And always remember this…
Allah loves you fiercely, Allah loves you unapologetically, and Allah loves you endlessly.
Jum’at mubaarak
