How To Be Grateful To Allah(SWT)?

Allah has bestowed us with countless blessings, both big and small. It is only right that we be grateful to Allah(SWT) for all He has done for us. And being grateful is not about keeping on saying meaningless ‘thank you’s. Gratefulness is an attitude that you need to develop, it’s a lifestyle, and it’s a way of thinking.

Here are some tips on how to develop that attitude of gratitude to Allah:

Fulfill your obligations

The first thing you can do to show gratitude to Allah(SWT) is by fulfilling your obligations to him. Pray five times a day, give zakat, observe fasting and obey his commandments. These are all ways of worshipping Allah and expressing our gratitude to Him.

Stop complaining & be mindful of Allah’s blessings

Allah has blessed us with a myriad of gifts, both big and small. When you are mindful of Allah’s blessings, you will be grateful for them. Be thankful for the simplest things in life, like the sun that shines down on us, the air we breathe and the food we eat. Because Allah says in the Quran :

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ ٧

(Recall the time) when your Lord declared, “If you express gratitude, I shall certainly give you more, and if you are ungrateful, then My punishment is severe.”

juz 13, surah 14, verse 7

He says ” even if you are the ‘least’ grateful, he will increase you and increase you and increase you. And Allah swears to it”. But the question is ‘increase you in what?’ It means Allah will increase you in every single thing you own if you show a little bit of gratitude. And if you are ungrateful, indeed his punishment is severe.

Don’t Compare

Don’t compare your life to others. We are all different and have been blessed with different talents and abilities. So, be content with what Allah has given you.

People get obsessed with themselves and constantly compare themselves with others. This constant thinking focusing on what we don’t have makes us ungrateful. And it makes us blinded towards what blessings Allah(SWT) has bestowed upon us. We have the gift of health, parents, comfort, eyes, hands, and many more.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Look at those who are below you, and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely to hold you back from belittling the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you.”  

[Sahih/Authentic] – [Al-Bukhari and Muslim. This is the wording of Muslim]

Stop the ‘whatever’ attitude

Today’s generation has an ‘i don’t care’ attitude towards everything. They don’t acknowledge what they have. And this attitude needs to be taught from a young age.

For example: when we tell a child, you have so much food and delicacies to eat, but some people are not privileged enough to eat a piece of bread in a day. And the child just replies “whatever”. It’s not cool. it means he doesn’t acknowledge the fact that Allah(SWT) has given him comfort and he is ungrateful.

Readout Surah Rahman with translation for yourself and to your children. This surah is specifically focused on being grateful. The most repeated verse in the surah says

“So, (O mankind and Jinn,) which of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?”

Surah Rahman

In conclusion, Make a habit of thanking Allah for the good and the bad. Be sincere in your thanks, don’t just say it because you’re supposed to. When something good happens, thank Allah for His blessing. And when something bad happens, ask Allah for His mercy and His wisdom.

Be patient. Gratitude doesn’t come easy for everyone. Sometimes it takes time to adopt a habit and develop a grateful attitude. Be patient and keep trying, Allah will help you.

When we are grateful to Allah, He blesses us even more. So let’s make a commitment to be grateful for all the blessings He has bestowed on us. And let’s not forget to thank Him for the trials and tests, because it is through these that we grow closer to Him.

O my Lord! Enable me that I may be grateful for Your favours, which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please You: And admit me, by Your Grace, to the ranks of Your righteous Servants.

Surah Naml Verse 19

Ameen.