Importance of Shukar (Gratitute) In Islam
What is the Importance of Shukar (Gratitute) In Islam?
Gratitude (shukar) is about expressing appreciation and thanks to those who do any favor to us. Of course, none can come close to our creator, Allah who gave us each and everything. Quran states:
“Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion”
As human being, Allah Pak has bestowed upon us the nature to be good and grateful to not only Him but to the people whom we deal with in our daily life. In many places in Quran, Allah divides grateful and ungrateful people to motivate us to join the camp of those who are grateful.
Having a sense of gratitude is a great blessing and those of us who instill this sense within ourselves seek Allah’s pleasure. There are many benefits of gratitude (Shukar). Here in this article, we will discuss them with you so that you can use them as means to motivate that sense within yourselves.
- Gratitude Helps Us Focus Our Minds on Allah
Gratitude is knowing that whatever we have in our life is from Allah. It helps us focus our minds on Allah Pak, something that has become so difficult today because of life’s attractions and distractions.
Gratitude, therefore, corrects our perception by reminding us that everything that happens to us does not happen due to volition so we should not take matters for granted. Allah says in Quran:
“And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah”. He also says,
“And He found you poor and made you rich (self-sufficient with self-contentment)”.
- Gratitude Allows Us to Slow Down
Gratitude helps us to slow down and enjoy what we have rather than searching or waiting for our next wish to come true. It can also help us recognize that we already have enough for which many people are still yearning.
Gratitude is a sense of fulfillment that comes not from wanting more but rather from sense of knowing that we are already blessed with everything by Allah Pak.
Prophet PBUH said in one of the hadith:
“If the son of Adam has one valley, he will wish that he had a second, and if he had two valleys, he would wish that he had a third. The stomach of the son of Adam will be filled only with dust (i.e. he is never satisfied)”
- Gratitude Helps Us In Seeking Pleasure of Allah
Muslim spends all his life to get pleasure of Allah Pak and gratitude is one way to do so not only in this life but also in hereafter when they will express it to Him for His blessings. It is the best mean to attain pleasure of Allah.
In hereafter when people of Paradise will say to Allah that He have given them what He have not given to anyone among His creation, then Allah Pak will say to them that:
“Shall I not give you something better than that?” They will say, “What is it? Have You not brightened our faces, and admitted us to Paradise and saved us from Hell?” Allah will say, “I bestow My pleasure upon you, and I will never be angry with you after that.”
What better reward can any Muslim expect other than this? So, why not be grateful to Him for what He has us day and night? Lastly, always remember that being grateful is not an option. Being on brings us closer to those who we appreciate and thank.
Shukr-dua:
“Allahumma A’inni Ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibadatika”.
