Becoming a Grateful Servant
Introduction
Gratitude is one of the greatest fruits of piety. A pious believer realizes that all the blessings they experience—whether large or seemingly simple—flow purely from the generosity of Allah SWT, the Lord of all worlds.
From the moment we open our eyes in the morning, we are enveloped in an ocean of His blessings: the clean air we breathe for free, the heartbeat that continues without command, the eyes still able to behold the beauty of the world, and the tongue still granted the ability to mention His name. Yet, as humans, we often find it easier to remember a single small hardship than to ponder the thousands of blessings that have overflowed in our lives.
The Virtue of Gratitude and Allah’s Promise
In the Qur’an, Allah SWT provides a grand promise for His grateful servants. Allah SWT says in Surah Ibrahim, verse 7:
لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
Meaning: “And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you show ingratitude, indeed, My punishment is severe.’” (QS. Ibrahim: 7)
The increase of blessings promised here is not merely about an increase in material wealth or worldly achievements. More than that, it is a promise of barakah (blessings) and contentment of the heart. Many people possess abundant wealth yet live in narrowness and anxiety. On the contrary, there are those who live in simplicity, yet their hearts are at peace, their families are tranquil, and their worship feels sweet. That is the essence of true increase in favor.
Despite Allah’s infinite blessings, He reminds us that very few humans actually fulfill this gratitude:
وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ
Meaning: “And few of My servants are grateful.” (QS. Saba’: 13)
Emulating the Gratitude of Prophet Muhammad SAW
If we wish to learn the true nature of gratitude, our greatest exemplar is Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He was a Prophet whose entry into Paradise was guaranteed and whose past and future shortcomings were forgiven. Yet, this noble guarantee did not make him complacent.
On the contrary, the Prophet SAW prayed so long during the night that his feet would swell. When Aisyah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked in amazement, “Why do you do this, O Messenger of Allah, when Allah has forgiven your past and future sins?”
The Prophet SAW replied beautifully:
أَفَلَا أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا
Meaning: “Should I not be a grateful servant?” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
He did not worship out of fear of punishment or solely in pursuit of rewards; rather, he was driven by a deep sense of love and gratitude in his chest. He also taught his Ummah to recognize daily blessings through supplications that begin with praise to Allah, such as:
- Upon Waking Up:
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِيْ أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُوْرُ
Meaning: “Praise be to Allah Who gave us life after He had caused us to die (sleep), and to Him is the resurrection.” (HR. Bukhari)
- After Eating:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Meaning: “Praise be to Allah Who has fed me this and provided it for me without any strength or power on my part, then his past sins will be forgiven.” (HR. Abu Dawud & Tirmidzi)
- Upon Dressing:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِيْ كَسَانِيْ هَذَا الثَّوْبَ وَرَزَقَنِيْهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّيْ وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Meaning: “Praise be to Allah Who has clothed me with this garment and provided it for me without any power or strength on my part, then his past sins will be forgiven.” (HR. Abu Dawud & Tirmidzi)
For a believer, gratitude is not a seasonal act of worship, but the very breath that accompanies every activity of life.
The Three Pillars of Gratitude
Scholars explain that true gratitude (to become Abdan Syakuran—a truly grateful servant) must fulfill three interconnected pillars:
1. Gratitude with the Heart (Al-Qalb)
The heart must honestly acknowledge and believe that every blessing we receive comes purely from Allah SWT. We must cleanse our hearts of arrogance and the belief that our success is solely due to our own intelligence, skills, or hard work.
2. Gratitude with the Tongue (Al-Lisan)
The tongue should constantly remain moist with praises of Allah by reciting tahmid (Alhamdulillah) and mentioning His favors with the intention of glorifying the Bestower of Blessings (tahadduth bin-ni’mah), not for showing off or pride.
3. Gratitude with the Limbs (Al-Jawarih)
This pillar is the practical proof of our gratitude. It manifests in using every blessing Allah has given us as a tool to increase our obedience to Him:
- The Blessing of Wealth: Used for charity, helping others, and keeping it free from what is forbidden.
- The Blessing of Knowledge: Implemented sincerely and taught to guide others without arrogance.
- The Blessing of Health: Used to walk to the mosque, perform acts of worship, and do good deeds.
- The Blessing of Free Time: Filled with productive actions, seeking knowledge, and remembering Allah.
- The Blessing of Authority/Status: Used to establish justice and ease the affairs of the community.
- The Blessing of Family: Nurtured with patience so they grow into a righteous and obedient generation.
- The Blessing of Senses (Eyes, Ears, Tongue): Guarded from what Allah has prohibited.
Without the proof from our limbs, our gratitude is incomplete. We would only be “eloquent in speech” but not yet Abdan Syakuran.
The Two Most Deceiving Blessings
The Prophet SAW specifically warned us about two blessings that most often lead humans to negligence and loss:
نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُوْنٌ فِيْهِمَا كَثِيْرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ: الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ
Meaning: “There are two blessings which many people lose: health and free time.” (HR. Bukhari)
Often, we only realize the value of health when we are lying sick in a hospital bed. We only realize the preciousness of free time when busyness or death knocks at our door.
We must also remember that every blessing entrusted to us will be questioned on the Day of Judgment:
ثُمَّ لَتُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ
Meaning: “Then you will surely be asked that Day about the pleasures [you enjoyed].” (QS. At-Takatsur: 8)
Beware of the Qarun Syndrome
Why do humans easily neglect gratitude? The primary cause is that the heart becomes too focused on oneself, forgetting the Giver of Blessings. This is the very disease that destroyed Qarun of old. When he was reminded to be grateful for his wealth, he arrogantly replied:
إِنَّمَا أُوْتِيْتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِنْدِيْ
Meaning: “I was only given it because of knowledge I have.” (QS. Al-Qashash: 78)
Perhaps we have never said this out loud, but there might be a subtle whisper in our hearts when success is achieved: “This is thanks to my greatness, my strategy, my hard work.” We forget that the intellect to think, the health to work, and the opportunity to strive all come from Allah.
Let us change our perspective on the world: do not feel ownership, but feel guardianship (feel entrusted). For whatever is in our hands today will one day leave us and become the subject of questioning before Allah SWT.
Physical and Spiritual Blessings
Allah SWT says in Surah Luqman, verse 20:
أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً
Meaning: “Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and amply bestowed upon you His favors, both apparent and unapparent?” (QS. Luqman: 20)
Apparent blessings (zahir) are easy to recognize: physical health, financial comfort, and the warmth of family. Yet, unapparent blessings (batin) are often far greater in value: the blessing of faith and Islam, the guidance that directs our steps, our sins that are covered by Allah from the eyes of others, and the disasters that are averted from us without our ever knowing.
Let us not wait for sickness to appreciate health. Let us not wait for hardship to appreciate ease. And let us not wait for separation or death to realize that every second of life is a priceless gift from Allah SWT.
May Allah SWT always guide our hearts to be among the few, those who are truly grateful. Aamiin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
Adapted from the Friday Sermon by Ustadz Muhammad Faishal Fadhli (Dakwah.id).
