one breathes to the food he eats, from the ability to use one's hands
to the faculty of speech, from being sheltered to beingin a joyful
spirit, one lives completely in need of what God creates and grants
him. Still, a vast majority of people do not perceive their weaknesses
and that they are in need of God. They suppose that thingsdevelop
spontaneously or that they acquire everything by their own efforts.
This is an important error, as well as a serious ingratitude towards
God. Ironically, people who render theirthanks to a person for even an
insignificant gift, spend all their lives ignoring the countless
blessings that God gives them all through their lives. However, so
great are the blessings granted to a person that one could never count
them. God relates this fact in a verse as follows:
If you tried to number God's blessings, you could never count them.
God is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nahl: 18)
Despite this fact, most people fail to give thanks for any of the
blessings they have. The reason for this is related in the Qur'an:
Satan, who pledged to misguide people from God's way, said that his
ultimate aim is to make people be ungrateful to God. Satan's defiant
statements to God emphasize the importance of giving thanks to God:
'Then I will come at them, from in front of them behind them, from
their right and from their left. You will not find most of them
thankful.' He (God) said, 'Get out of it, reviled anddriven out. As
for those of them (mankind) who follow you, I, will fill up Hell with
every one of you.' (Surat al-A'raf: 17-18)
Believers, on the other hand, aware of their weaknesses and in
humility before God, render their thanks to Him for every blessing
granted. Wealth and possessions are not the only blessings for which
believers render their thanks to God. Knowing that God is the Owner
and Possessor of everything, believers express their inner
gratefulness for good health, beauty, knowledge, wisdom, love of faith
and hatred from disbelief, understanding, insight, foresight and for
power.They are thankful for being rightly guided andfor being in the
company of believers.
A beautiful landscape, easy handling of their affairs, fulfillment of
their wishes, tidings of great joy, respectful conduct or any other
blessings make believersimmediately turn to God,express their
gratefulness to Him and reflect on His mercy and compassion.
In return for good morals displayed, a reward awaits believers.This is
another of the secrets revealed in the Qur'an; God increases
Hisblessings on those who are grateful. For example, God grants even
more health and power to those who render their thanks to God for the
good health and strength they have. God bestows even more knowledge
and propertyto those who are grateful for their knowledge or wealth.
This is because they are sincere people who are contented with what
God gives and are pleased with the blessings and who take God as their
friend. God relates this secret in the Qur'an as follows:
And when your Lord announced: "If you are grateful, I will certainly
give you increase, but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is
severe."' (Surah Ibrahim: 7)
Being grateful is also a sign of one's closeness toand love of God.
People who give thanks have the insight and capability to perceive the
beauties and blessings that God creates. God's Messenger, peace be
upon him, also referred to this when he said:
When God gives you property, the bliss of God's blessing and offering
must be reflected on you.
On the other hand, a disbelieving or ungrateful person will only see
the imperfections and faults even in the most beautiful environment,
and thus will be unhappy and discontented. Indeed, as a divine purpose
in God's creation, such people, always come across with seemingly
unfavorable events and unpleasant scenes. On the other hand, God
displays more of His bounties and blessings to those who have a
sincere and insightful outlook.
That God increases His blessings to those who are grateful is one of
thesecrets of the Qur'an. However, one needs to keep in mind that
sincerity is a prerequisite for being grateful. No doubt, one'sway of
showing his gratitude without turning sincerely to God and feeling the
inner peace of God's infinite mercy and compassion, which is solely
intended to impress people, would be sheer insincerity. God knows what
hearts harbor, and will bear witness to this insincerity. Those who
have insincere inner intentions may conceal itfrom other people, but
not from God. Such people may render their thanks with affected
manners when there is no affliction, but at times of hardship, it is
possible that they may readily lapse into ungratefulness.
It should be also noted that true believers remain grateful to God
even under harshest conditions. Someone looking from outside may see
the diminishing of some blessings believers enjoy. However, believers,
whoare able to perceive the good aspect of every event and situation,
see goodness in this too. For example, God states that He will test
people with fear, hunger and loss of wealth or life. In such a
situation, believers rejoice and feel grateful,hoping that God will
reward them with the gifts of paradise in return for the steadfastness
they displayed in this test.
They know that God does not impose on anyone more than he can bear.
The steadfastness and submission of such awareness lead them to
patience and gratitude. Therefore, it is an obvious attribute of
believers to show unwavering dedication and submission and God
promises to expand His blessings on His grateful servants both in the
life of this world and in the Hereafter.
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