Towards Allah

Ramadan is the month of showing gratitude to others and whom better to begin with than Allah? Allah commands us: “Then remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and do not reject Me” (al-Baqarah 2:152). And He has told us that only those who are grateful to Him truly worship Him: “... and be grateful to Allâh, if it is Him you worship” (al-Baqarah 2:172)

Gratitude is a form of faith and allah makes it clear that he gains nothing from punishing those who are disobedient “What can Allâh gain by your punishment, if you are grateful and you believe?...” (an-Nisâ’ 4:147) In other words: if you carry out the duties for which you were created, namely gratitude and îmân, why should Allâh punish you?

Allâh has divided people into two categories, the people of gratitude (shukr) and the people of ingratitude (kufr). The thing most disliked by Him is kufr and the people of kufr, the thing most liked by Him is gratitude and the people of gratitude: “We showed him (i.e. man) the way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).”(al-Insân 76:3) According to the Qur’ân, the Prophet Sulaymân (AS) said: “... This is by the grace of my Lord! - to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is free of all needs, Supreme in honour!” (an-Naml 27: 40) And Allâh said: “And remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): ‘If you are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you; but if you show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed’” (Ibrâhîm 14:7). “If you reject (Allâh), truly Allâh has no need of you; but He likes not ingratitude from His slaves: if you are grateful, He is pleased with you...” (az-Zumar 39:7).

What are the rewards of having Gratitude before Allah? The reward of gratitude is unlimited: “...If you are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you...” (Ibrâhîm 14:7) And the rewards are conditional upon Allah's will, for example, He may provide relief from poverty: “... but if you fear poverty, soon will Allâh enrich you, if He wills...” (at- Tawbah 9:28) Or he may choose to answering prayers: “Nay – on Him would you call, and if it be His Will, He would remove (the distress) which occasioned your call upon Him...” (al-An‘âm 6:41).

More examples as to how rewards are conditional upon allah's will: Rizq (sustenance, provision): “... He gives Sustenance to whom He pleases” (ash-Shura 42:19). Forgiveness: “... He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills…” (al-Fath 48:14). Divine mercy: “Again will Allâh, after this, turn (in mercy) to whom He will...” (at- Tawbah 9:27).

However Gratitude – the rewards for this is not conditional “... And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve Us with) gratitude” (Āl ‘Imrân 3:145). “But Allâh will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude” (Āl ‘Imrân 3:144).

To show how horrible thing it is to not be one who shows gratitude to Allah, look at Iblis When the enemy of Allâh realized the virtue of gratitude, he made his main aim to keep people away from it: “‘Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: nor will You find, in most of them, gratitude (for Your mercies).’” (al-Ā‘râf 7:17) Allâh has described the people of gratitude as being very few: “... But few of My slaves are grateful!” (Sabâ’ 43:13

Having Gratitude towards Allah is linked to worshipping him Allâh explained in the Qur’ân that the only people who truly worship Him are those who give thanks (gratitude) to Him, so those who are not among the people of gratitude are not among the people of ‘ibâdah: “... and be grateful to Allâh, if it is Him you worship” (al-Baqarah 2:172) He instructed His slave Mûsâ (AS) to accept what He had be­stowed upon him with gratitude: “...O Mûsâ! I have chosen you above (other) men, by the mission I (have given you) and the words I (have spoken to you): take then the (revelation) which I give you, and be of those who give thanks.” (al-Ā‘râf 7:144)

Also Allâh has told us that those who are gratful to him are the ones who earn his love “... If you are grateful, He is pleased with you...” (az-Zumar 39:7). Allâh praised Ibrâhîm (AS) for being grateful for His favours: “Ibrâhîm was indeed a model. Devoutly obedient to Allâh, (and) true in faith, and he joined not gods with Allah. He showed his gratitude for the favours of Allâh, Who chose him, and guided him to a straight way.” (an ‑ Nahl 16:120 ‑ 121)

Also we were created to give thanks to Allah 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 Allâh).” (an-Nahl, 16:78) “Allâh had helped you at Badr, when you were a contempt­ible little force; then fear Allâh; thus may you show your gratitude.” (Āl ‘Imrân 3:123).

As well as being the purpose of creation, gratitude was also the purpose of sending the Prophet (SAAS): Then remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and do not reject Me.” (al ‑ Baqarah 2:152).