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Source: Sermons of Ḥāfiẓ Muḥammad Isḥāq ZāhidCompiled by: Tawḥīd.com
Faith Is Perfected Through Gratitude and Patience
According to the people of knowledge, īmān has two major parts: gratitude (shukr) and patience (ṣabr). Meaning, when joy and blessings come from Allah, a servant should express gratitude; and when a trial or hardship comes, he should adopt patience and endurance. Through this balance, īmān becomes firm and complete.In this article, we will discuss—the reality of shukr, its importance, the benefits of shukr, the harms of ingratitude, the verbal and practical forms of shukr, and the questioning about blessings on the Day of Judgment—in the light of the Qur’an and Hadith (with translation and references), so that we may become true grateful servants who value the blessings of our Lord.
Two Parts of Faith: Gratitude and Patience
Allah Almighty says:﴿إِنَّ فِیْ ذَلِکَ لَآیَاتٍ لِّکُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَکُورٍ﴾
Reference: Saba 34:19
Translation:
“Indeed, in that are signs for every person who is extremely patient and very grateful.”
In this verse, “صَبَّار” and “شَكُور” are forms of emphasis, meaning: only the servant who shows the highest level of patience and abundant gratitude truly learns from the signs of Allah.
And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ، وَلَيْسَ ذٰلِكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ: إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2999
Translation:
“How amazing is the affair of the believer! Indeed, all of his affairs are good—and this is not for anyone except the believer. If ease comes to him, he is grateful, and that becomes good for him; and if hardship comes to him, he is patient, and that becomes good for him.”
Therefore, it is necessary for every Muslim to complete his faith with both gratitude and patience. This article discusses gratitude, and the discussion on patience will come separately, inshā’Allāh.
The Prophet ﷺ: Supplications and Teachings of Gratitude
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself was extremely grateful, and he would supplicate:(( … رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِيْ لَكَ شَكَّارًا، لَكَ ذَكَّارًا، لَكَ رَهَّابًا … ))
Reference: Abū Dāwūd: 1510
Reference: Ibn Mājah: 3830
(Al-Albānī: Ṣaḥīḥ)Translation:
“O my Lord! Make me one who is very grateful to You, one who remembers You abundantly, and one who fears You greatly…”
Muʿādh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ took his hand and said:
(( يَا مُعَاذُ! وَاللّٰهِ إِنِّيْ لَأُحِبُّكَ… لَا تَدَعَنَّ فِيْ دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ تَقُوْلُ: اَللّٰهُمَّ أَعِنِّيْ عَلٰى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ ))
Reference: Abū Dāwūd: 1522
(Al-Albānī: Ṣaḥīḥ)Translation:
“O Muʿādh! By Allah, I surely love you… O Muʿādh! I advise you: never leave saying after every prayer: ‘O Allah! Help me in remembering You, thanking You, and worshipping You excellently.’”
This supplication proves that gratitude is not merely verbal; rather it is connected with remembrance and excellence in worship.
Abū Umāmah al-Bāhilī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( عَرَضَ عَلَيَّ رَبِّيْ لِيَجْعَلَ لِيْ بَطْحَاءَ مَكَّةَ ذَهَبًا… وَلٰكِنْ أَشْبَعُ يَوْمًا وَأَجُوْعُ يَوْمًا… وَإِذَا شَبِعْتُ شَكَرْتُكَ وَحَمِدْتُكَ ))
Reference: At-Tirmidhī: 2347
(Ḥasan)Translation:
“My Lord offered me to make the valley of Baṭḥā’ of Makkah gold for me… but I said: O my Lord! No. Rather, I want to be full one day and hungry one day… when I am hungry, I will humble myself to You and remember You, and when I am full, I will thank You and praise You.”
This teaches us that situations change, but the servant’s heart must remain connected to gratitude and remembrance.
Countless Blessings of Allah and the Demand of Gratitude
Allah Almighty says:﴿اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ… وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللّٰهِ لَا تُحْصُوْهَا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَظَلُوْمٌ كَفَّارٌ﴾
Reference: Ibrāhīm 14:32–34
Translation:
“Allah is the One who created the heavens and the earth… And if you tried to count the blessings of Allah, you would not be able to enumerate them. Indeed, man is extremely unjust and exceedingly ungrateful.”
For this reason, the Qur’an repeatedly mentions blessings and says:
﴿لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾
Translation: “So that you may be grateful.”
Examples:
➊ ﴿وَمِن رَّحْمَتِهِ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ… وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾
Reference: Al-Qaṣaṣ 28:73
Translation:
“And from His mercy, He made for you the night and the day, so that you may rest at night and seek His bounty by day—and so that you may be grateful.”
➋ ﴿وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَن يُرْسِلَ الرِّيَاحَ مُبَشِّرَاتٍ… وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾
Reference: Ar-Rūm 30:46
Translation:
“And among His signs is that He sends the winds as bringers of glad tidings… so that you may taste His mercy… and so that you may be grateful.”
➌ ﴿وَهُوَ الَّذِيْ سَخَّرَ الْبَحْرَ… وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾
Reference: An-Naḥl 16:14
Translation:
“And He is the One who subjected the sea for you… so that you may seek His bounty—and so that you may be grateful.”
➍ ﴿وَاللّٰهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّن بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ… لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾
Reference: An-Naḥl 16:78
Translation:
“And Allah brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers while you knew nothing, and He made for you hearing, sight, and hearts, so that you may be grateful.”
Questioning About Blessings on the Day of Judgment
Allah Almighty says:﴿ثُمَّ لَتُسْئَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيْمِ﴾
Reference: At-Takāthur 102:8
Translation:
“Then on that Day, you will surely be asked about the blessings.”
Jābir رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
( هَذَا مِنَ النَّعِيمِ الَّتِي تُسْأَلُونَ عَنْهُ )
Reference: Musnad Aḥmad: 14678
Translation:
“This is among the blessings about which you will be questioned.”
In the narration of Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, it is mentioned:
(( هَذَا… مِنَ النَّعِيمِ الَّتِي تُسْأَلُونَ عَنْهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ: ظِلٌّ بَارِدٌ، وَرُطَبٌ طَيِّبٌ، وَمَاءٌ بَارِدٌ ))
Reference: At-Tirmidhī: 2369
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2038
Translation:
“This is among the blessings about which you will be asked on the Day of Resurrection: cool shade, fine dates, and cool water.”
And he ﷺ said:
(( أَلَمْ نُصِحَّ لَكَ جِسْمَكَ وَنُرْوِكَ مِنَ الْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ؟ ))
Reference: At-Tirmidhī: 3358
Translation:
“Did We not grant you a healthy body and quench your thirst with cool water?”
Emphasis on Gratitude for Water and Provision
Allah Almighty says:﴿أَفَرَأَیْتُمُ الْمَائَ الَّذِیْ تَشْرَبُونَ. أَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوہُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنزِلُونَ. لَوْ نَشَائُ جَعَلْنَاہُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْکُرُونَ﴾
Reference: Al-Wāqiʿah 56:68–70
Translation:
“Have you seen the water that you drink? Is it you who sent it down from the clouds, or are We the Sender? If We willed, We could make it bitter—so why are you not grateful?”
Allah also says regarding eating lawful provision and being grateful:
﴿یَا أَیُّہَا الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوا کُلُوْا مِن طَیِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاکُمْ وَاشْکُرُوا لِلّٰہِ إِن کُنتُمْ إِیَّاہُ تَعْبُدُونَ﴾
Reference: Al-Baqarah 2:172
Translation:
“O you who believe! Eat of the pure things We have provided you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him alone you worship.”
And He says:
﴿فَکُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَکُمُ اللّٰہُ حَلاَلاً طَیِّبًا وَّاشْکُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللّٰہِ إِنْ کُنتُمْ إِیَّاہُ تَعْبُدُونَ﴾
Reference: An-Naḥl 16:114
Translation:
“So eat from what Allah has provided you—lawful and good—and be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is Him alone you worship.”
And the least form of practical gratitude is that a servant praises Allah after eating and drinking.
Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَیَرْضٰی عَنِ الْعَبْدِ أَنْ یَّأْکُلَ الأَکْلَۃَ فَیَحْمَدُہُ عَلَیْہَا،أَوْ یَشْرَبَ الشَّرْبَۃَ فَیَحْمَدُہُ عَلَیْہَا))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2734
Translation:
“Indeed, Allah is pleased with the servant who eats a morsel and praises Him for it, or drinks a sip and praises Him for it.”
Ingratitude for Blessings: Accountability and Worldly Loss
A person will not be questioned only about food and drink; rather he will be questioned about other blessings too—whether he expressed gratitude or not. This reality is clarified in a hadith:(( یَقُولُ اللّٰہُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ:یَا ابْنَ آدَمَ !حَمَلْتُکَ عَلَی الْخَیْلِ وَالْإِبِلِ،وَزَوَّجْتُکَ النِّسَائَ،وَجَعَلْتُکَ تَرْبَعُ وَتَرْأَسُ،فَأَیْنَ شُکْرُ ذَلِکَ؟ ))
Reference: Musnad Aḥmad (Al-Arna’ūṭ: Isnād ṣaḥīḥ ʿalā shart Muslim)
Translation:
“Allah عز وجل will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Ādam! I carried you on horses and camels, married you to women, granted you leadership and a life of comfort and honor—so where is the gratitude for that?”
Therefore, to be saved from regret on the Day of Judgment, it is necessary that we value Allah’s blessings now, become grateful and obedient servants, and avoid ingratitude.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فَاذْکُرُونِیْ أَذْکُرْکُمْ وَاشْکُرُوا لِیْ وَلاَ تَکْفُرُونِ﴾
Reference: Al-Baqarah 2:152
Translation:
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful.”
But the reality is that most people fall short in gratitude. Allah warns:
﴿قُلْ ہُوَ الَّذِیْ أَنشَأَکُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَکُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَۃَ قَلِیْلاً مَّا تَشْکُرُونَ﴾
Reference: Al-Mulk 67:23
Translation:
“Say: He is the One who created you and made for you hearing, sight, and hearts—yet little are you grateful.”
Ingratitude Fulfills Shayṭān’s Oath
Allah Almighty says:﴿قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَیْْتَنِیْ لأَقْعُدَنَّ لَہُمْ صِرَاطَکَ الْمُسْتَقِیْمَ. ثُمَّ لآتِیَنَّہُم مِّن بَیْْنِ أَیْْدِیْہِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِہِمْ وَعَنْ أَیْْمَانِہِمْ وَعَن شَمَآئِلِہِمْ وَلاَ تَجِدُ أَکْثَرَہُمْ شَاکِرِیْن﴾
Reference: Al-Aʿrāf 7:16–17
Translation:
“He said: Because You have led me astray, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them, and from their right and from their left—and You will not find most of them grateful.”
Fruits of Gratitude and Harms of Ingratitude
Allah Almighty says:﴿وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّکُمْ لَئِن شَکَرْتُمْ لأَزِیْدَنَّکُمْ وَلَئِن کَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِیْ لَشَدِیْدٌ﴾
Reference: Ibrāhīm 14:7
Translation:
“And when your Lord proclaimed: If you are grateful, I will surely increase you; but if you are ungrateful, then indeed My punishment is severe.”
Allah gives an example of the evil end of ingratitude:
﴿وَضَرَبَ اللّٰہُ مَثَلاً قَرْیَۃً کَانَتْ آمِنَۃً مُّطْمَئِنَّۃً… فَکَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللّٰہِ فَأَذَاقَہَا اللّٰہُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ﴾
Reference: An-Naḥl 16:112
Translation:
“And Allah presents an example of a town which was secure and at ease… then it denied the favors of Allah, so Allah made it taste the garment of hunger and fear because of what they used to do.”
The Example of the People of Saba’
﴿لَقَدْ کَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِیْ مَسْکَنِہِمْ آیَۃٌ… کُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِ رَبِّکُمْ وَاشْکُرُوا لَہُ… فَأَعْرَضُوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْْہِمْ سَیْْلَ الْعَرِمِ﴾
Reference: Saba 34:15–17
Translation:
“For the people of Saba’ there was a sign in their dwelling: two gardens, on the right and on the left. (We said
Eat from the provision of your Lord and be grateful to Him… but they turned away, so We sent upon them the flood of al-ʿArim…” Reward of the Grateful
﴿کَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوطٍ بِالنُّذُرِ… نِعْمَۃً مِّنْ عِندِنَا کَذَلِکَ نَجْزِیْ مَن شَکَرَ﴾
Reference: Al-Qamar 54:33–35
Translation:
“The people of Lūṭ denied the warners… but We saved the family of Lūṭ at dawn—as a favor from Us. Thus do We reward the grateful.”
Three Great Hadith: Practical Outcomes of Gratitude and Ingratitude
① The Story of Three Men from Banū Isrā’īl
The Prophet ﷺ mentioned three men: a leper, a bald man, and a blind man, whom Allah tested through an angel. Later, the angel came in need:◈ The leper and the bald man were ungrateful and claimed the blessings as inherited wealth.
◈ The blind man acknowledged and gave generously.
The angel said:
“Allah has become pleased with you, and displeased with your two companions.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3464
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2964
② Women’s Ingratitude and Majority in Hellfire
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:(( يَا مَعْشَرَ النِّسَاءِ تَصَدَّقْنَ فَإِنِّي أُرِيتُكُنَّ أَكْثَرَ أَهْلِ النَّارِ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 304
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 79
Translation:
“O women! Give charity, for I was shown that you will be the majority of the people of the Fire.”
He said:
(( تُكْثِرْنَ اللَّعْنَ وَتَكْفُرْنَ الْعَشِيرَ ))
Translation:
“You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands.”
And he said:
(( مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْكَ خَيْرًا قَطُّ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 29
Translation:
“I have never seen any good from you.”
③ Great Reward for Gratitude at the Death of a Child
Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:(( إِذَا مَاتَ وَلَدُ الْعَبْدِ… فَيَقُولُ اللّٰهُ: ابْنُوا لِعَبْدِي بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَسَمُّوهُ بَيْتَ الْحَمْدِ ))
Reference: At-Tirmidhī: 1021
(Al-Albānī: Ḥasan)Translation:
“When the child of a servant dies, and he shows patience while praising Allah, Allah says: Build a house for My servant in Paradise and name it ‘Bayt al-Ḥamd.’”
What Is Gratitude (Shukr)?
Shukr means acknowledging blessings and favors with the heart, tongue, and actions, and adopting obedience and submission to the Benefactor.Ibn Manẓūr رحمه الله said:
“The ‘Shakūr’ is the one who thanks his Lord through obedience and fulfills the worship he has been obligated with.”
Reference: Lisān al-ʿArab: 4/2305
Al-Manāwī رحمه الله stated that gratitude is of two types:
➊ With the tongue: praising the One who grants blessings
➋ With the limbs: obeying the Benefactor in return for blessings
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله wrote:
“Gratitude is that the effect of Allah’s blessings appears upon the servant’s tongue as praise, in his heart as love of the True Benefactor, and upon his limbs as obedience and avoidance of disobedience.”
Reference: Madārij as-Sālikīn: 2/244
Al-Fayrūzābādī رحمه الله said that gratitude is half of faith and has five foundations:
➊ Humility before the Benefactor
➋ Love for the Benefactor
➌ Acknowledgement of blessings
➍ Praise of the Benefactor
➎ Not using blessings in disobedience
Reference: Baṣā’ir Dhawī at-Tamyīz: 3/334
Importance of Gratitude in the Qur’an
﴿إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا﴾
Reference: Al-Insān 76:3
Translation:
“Indeed, We guided him to the path—then he is either grateful or ungrateful.”
﴿وَسَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ﴾
Reference: Āl ʿImrān 3:145
Translation:
“And We will surely reward the grateful.”
﴿إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا﴾
Reference: Al-Isrā’ 17:3
Translation:
“Indeed, he was a very grateful servant.”
﴿شَاكِرًا لِأَنْعُمِهِ﴾
Reference: An-Naḥl 16:121
Translation:
“He was grateful for His blessings.”
﴿فَخُذْ مَا آتَيْتُكَ وَكُنْ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ﴾
Reference: Al-Aʿrāf 7:144
Translation:
“So take what I have given you, and be among the grateful.”
﴿أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ﴾
Reference: Luqmān 31:14
Translation:
“Be grateful to Me and to your parents.”
Verbal and Practical Gratitude
① Verbal Gratitude
The Prophet ﷺ used to praise Allah after various blessings:◈ After waking up:
(( اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا ))
(Muttafaqun ʿAlayh)
Translation:
“All praise is for Allah who gave us life after causing us to die.”
◈ After eating:
(( اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا… ))
Reference: Abū Dāwūd
Reference: At-Tirmidhī
Reference: Ibn Mājah
(Ḥasan)Translation:
“All praise is for Allah who fed me this…”
◈ After wearing clothing:
(( اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِي كَسَانِي هَذَا… ))
Reference: Abū Dāwūd
(Ḥasan)Translation:
“All praise is for Allah who clothed me with this…”
◈ Comprehensive morning/evening supplication:
(( اَللّٰهُمَّ مَا أَصْبَحَ/أَمْسَى بِي مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ… فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَالشُّكْرُ ))
Reference: Abū Dāwūd: 5073
(Ibn Bāz: Ḥasan)It is mentioned:
“Whoever says it in the morning has fulfilled the gratitude of the day, and whoever says it in the evening has fulfilled the gratitude of the night.”
② Practical Gratitude
Practical gratitude means obeying Allah and avoiding disobedience.﴿اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُدَ شُكْرًا﴾
Reference: Saba 34:13
Translation:
“O family of Dāwūd! Work in gratitude.”
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها said that the Prophet ﷺ would stand in prayer at night until his feet swelled. It was said:
“O Messenger of Allah! Your past and future sins have been forgiven.”
He replied:
(( أَفَلَا أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 4837
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2820
Translation:
“Should I not be a grateful servant?”
The highest form of practical gratitude is Tawḥīd: worshipping Allah alone, supplicating only to Him, relying upon Him, and completely avoiding shirk.
﴿بَلِ اللّٰهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُنْ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ﴾
Reference: Az-Zumar 39:65
Translation:
“Rather, worship Allah alone and be among the grateful.”
Allah Is Free of Need—Gratitude Benefits the Servant
﴿وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِ﴾
Reference: Luqmān 31:12
Translation:
“And whoever is grateful—he is only grateful for his own benefit.”
﴿أَنتُمُ الْفُقَرَاءُ إِلَى اللّٰهِ﴾
Reference: Fāṭir 35:15
Translation:
“You are the ones in need of Allah, while Allah is Free of need.”
Gratitude to People and Recognizing Favors
The Prophet ﷺ said:(( لَا يَشْكُرُ اللّٰهَ مَن لَا يَشْكُرُ النَّاسَ ))
Reference: Abū Dāwūd: 4811
Reference: At-Tirmidhī: 1954
(Ṣaḥīḥ)Translation:
“He who does not thank people does not thank Allah.”
And he ﷺ said:
(( مَنْ صُنِعَ إِلَيْهِ مَعْرُوفٌ فَقَالَ: جَزَاكَ اللّٰهُ خَيْرًا فَقَدْ أَبْلَغَ فِي الثَّنَاءِ ))
Reference: At-Tirmidhī: 2035
(Ṣaḥīḥ)Translation:
“Whoever has a kindness done to him and says ‘Jazākallāhu khayran’ has indeed reached the utmost in praise.”
Conclusion
It is obligatory upon us that we thank Allah for every small and great blessing, praise Him with our tongues, engage our limbs in His obedience, avoid shirk and ingratitude, and also be grateful to those who do good to us. This gratitude is a means of honor and blessings in this world and salvation in the Hereafter.May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to become truly grateful servants. Āmīn.
