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Gratitude 

‘if you are grateful, I will increase you’ (Quran) 

Sometimes you can go through life focusing on all of your problems and things you want but don’t have and forget about how blessed you are. The fact you are alive, healthy, that you have a place to call home, that you have family and friends for support and other countless blessings God has showered upon you can no longer be ignored.

Just compare your life with someone lower than you. Someone in a third world country, walking miles and miles just for clean water. Someone who has no possessions to their name but still smile. I was blessed to have a personal experience in Jamaica where I volunteered at a primary school and seeing how happy these children were despite the circumstances they have to grow up in brought tears to my eyes. They had nothing- but the joy on their faces illuminated my whole world. Once you reflect on the state of the majority of the world you realise that God has wrapped you up in so much love and luxury that you can’t help but say, ‘alhumdulilah’ (all praise and gratitude belongs to God) even on your worst day. 

When something good happens to you, recognise that it is a gift from Allah and thank Allah by using that gift for obedience and to help others. I have realised that although I am super grateful for the gift itself, I love the giver of the gift more and that has always kept me grounded and humble. 

I recognise every single day how blessed I am to have Allah as a Lord. He has chosen the two main qualities of  ‘al Rahman nir Raheem’ to introduce Himself to His creation.  He is extremely lovingly merciful and always compassionate. What an amazing God to dedicate your whole life to. How I become more grateful is to reflect on these names and how He is being lovingly merciful and compassionate right now in this moment. Once you do this you realise that you can never truly enumerate and comprehend all of the ways God has been so kind and loving to you. And you feel so special, drowned in Allah’s blessings. 

Another beautiful name that has flawed me is that Allah is ‘Lateef.’ He gently delivers the needs of His creation. I think that is so beautiful. Allah knows exactly what you need, and will always provide you with what is best for you in the most beautiful and endearing way. 

Be grateful for the problems that you thought you couldn’t handle but Allah got you through them and you are a stronger more compassionate person as a result. And know, that just like He did before, He will certainly make a way out for you again. 

In a society where you constantly compare yourself with others becoming a person of gratitude is crucial to your mental wellbeing. Recognising the beautiful things God has blessed YOU with will not only do wonders for your personal happiness, but it will make God love you and bless you more and more. As Allah promises in the Quran, ‘if you are grateful, I will increase you.’ So I challenge all of you and myself to say at least three things you are grateful for each day and watch how your mood changes. Show Allah that you are grateful to Him by worship and using your blessings to make a positive impact in the world. Show gratitude to the brilliant people in your life that have helped and supported you along your journey. As my beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ says, ‘He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah.’

Never forget to give all of the credit for every achievement in your life to God. He is the Giver of the gift, never lose sight of that. 

I pray that Allah blesses you with strong faith, a beautiful life and Jannah (Paradise). 

Salaam (peace),