We usually take being thankful as only verbal. We thank Allah (God) only when our prayers have been answered, when we feel blessed, when we accomplish our materialistic goals or when we achieve success in our lives. Basically we only thank Allah in the good moments of our lives.

“The difference between ‘thanking Allah’ and ‘being thankful’ to Allah”.

I think that there is a difference between ‘thanking Allah’ and ‘being thankful’. Before reading the Holy Quran and getting to know Allah, I used to think the two were the same, that thankfulness meant just saying only ‘thank you’ or Alhamdulillah to Him.

But what I realized after reading the Holy Quran:

• First of all, thankfulness is a behavior, an attitude, a state of mind that I need to maintain through out my life.

• Secondly, I don’t just have to ‘thank Allah’ I have to ‘stay thankful’ to Allah.

• Being thankful does not mean to thank Allah only once or twice whenever He gives me what I want or when He blesses me with something.

• Being thankful means I have to thank Him whether He blesses me or not, whether He answers my prayers or not, whether I’m in hardship or at ease in my life. I should trust Him and I should be satisfied with whatever He has provided me.

How to become a thankful person?

We don’t usually realize the blessings around us, we just focus on the things we want and pray for, or the things that we don’t have in our lives. Why?

1. Because of jealousy.

2. Because we compare ourselves with others.

3. Because we are too busy focusing on what others have.

4. Because we completely forget about the blessings that Allah has given us.

So it is very important for us to realize the blessings and bounties of Allah on us.

A thankful believer must:

• Realize all the blessings, favors and grants of Allah and should also know that none of these are his right.

• Utilize them correctly and righteously. The way Allah has asked a Momin (believer) to.

• A thankful believer should stay pleased; happy and content. He should be satisfied with the blessings given by Allah and then openly announce this state of mind, not only verbally, but also practically in his daily attitude.

• It’s also important to stay down to earth while being obedient and following completely the instructions and commands of Allah and His Holy Prophet (PBUH) to become a thankful person.

Noman B. Basheer (R.A) narrated that Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

“He who does not give thanks for little, will not give thanks for much; and he who is not thankful to mankind cannot be thankful to Allah.”

Hadith#18476.

Benefits of living a thankful life.

There are several benefits to living a thankful life as Allah has Himself said in the Holy Quran.

And remember, when your Lord proclaimed, “If you will be grateful, then I shall give you more, and if you are thankless, then My punishment is severe.” Surah Ibrahim 14 Ayat 7

Allah, Himself has guaranteed us, that staying thankful and grateful to Him will increase our blessings, and open the doors of His rehmat (mercy) and bounties upon us. That is the biggest benefit.

I have learnt and experienced that being thankful does not only please Allah and His Holy Prophet (PBUH), but benefit me in many ways.

The benefits I have experienced:

• That if I’m thankful and grateful with whatever Allah has provided me right now, I won’t be greedy and hasty for more and more things. Allah will give me the capability to be satisfied and happy and enjoy what I have right now. But for this, it is important for me to have a strong belief in Allah and to trust Him.

• When I am thankful to Allah it means that I know He is the only Lord, the only Provider, the most Supreme and there is no one other than Him who can provide me with everything that I need. I will automatically become humble and down to earth because now I know my worth in front of Allah Almighty.

• If I know that He will never leave me alone, He will always be by my side, He will always protect me and I’ll never be left behind; then I will never feel depressed, insecure or hopeless. Instead I will become more confident, more hopeful and I will feel more secure because I know that Allah is with me.

• If I’m thankful then Allah will give me the strength to survive hardships or when I experience failure, He will give me the strength to move forward.

• When I’m thankful, I will have control over my emotions and my nafs (inner self). I will be more patient and content with my life.

So if we want to stay connected with Allah and if we want His blessings, favors, bounties and mercy to continue forever, then it is important for all of us to realize all His blessings. And only when we realize this, can we become thankful and grateful to Him. And only then we can please Allah and receive His love and affection.

By Arrahman Arraheem Kids

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