Remember that Allah (glory be to Him) is always deserving of our thanks and feels displeasure when we are ungrateful. Allah’s displeasure (glory be to Him) with our ingratitude is not because He needs our thanks, but simply because He knows that a state of grateful servitude is best for us. Allah (glory be to Him) may decide to punish our ingratitude, either in this world by sending hardship, or in the next world by sending us to Jahannam (Hellfire), or both. The feeling of gratitude comes from the heart and helps us to recognise just how completely dependent we all are upon Allah (glory be to Him). Reflect on your own life and you will soon come to appreciate the many blessings that Allah (glory be to Him) has bestowed upon you.
Traveling or going about mundane household chores are good times to make dhikr. Many Muslims commit to repeating certain phrases, such as “Subhaan-Allahi wa bihamdihi” (Allah is free from imperfection and all praise is due to Him) numerous times each day, to help them strengthen their faith. This must be done while contemplating the meaning but should not become an excessive burden. Every night, before sleep, remember Allah (glory be to Him) by following the regular practices of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), such as reciting the Adhkar prescribed for the evening, praying Witr before sleep and sleeping on the side. Even when enjoying intercourse with your spouse, try to remember that this is both a gift from Allah (glory be to Him) and an act of worship. So remember Allah (glory be to Him) in your heart (though not out loud as this is disliked) and make dua afterwards to thank Allah (glory be to Him) for allowing you to satisfy your desires in a lawful and pleasurable way.
Even simple phrases, such as “Astaghfirullah”, repeated with sincerity, can help save us from the torment of the Fire. Thank Allah (glory be to Him) for the limits, laws and punishments that He has set out in the Shariah to help ensure a safe and fair society, and promise to respect them as an expression of gratitude.
Remember that every good Muslim is humble and grateful for what they have, even though their life may seem to be a struggle. Accept that the struggles and worldly desires that we face are tests planned by Allah (glory be to Him) to strengthen our faith and guide us towards His obedience. Keep a gratitude journal. Noting down just one blessing each day - something that has made you say “Alhamdulillah” - together with your reflections on how it has helped you, will help improve focus and strengthen your connection with Allah (glory be to Him).
Parents should encourage their young children to recognise and be grateful for their blessings by teaching them to say “Alhamdulillah” and “Masha’Allah” at appropriate times throughout each day. Teaching them to recite Takbir will help them appreciate Allah’s greatness (glory be to Him). When a little older they should understand that Allah (glory be to Him) sees everything and will be displeased if we fail to show our gratitude. Teach them that Allah (glory be to Him) loves us but there will be consequences in this life or in the next world, or both, if we do not show gratitude for our blessings. By the age of ten, children should regularly hurry to acknowledge Allah’s gifts (glory be to Him) and know that they will be rewarded for doing so. Conversely, ingratitude should be addressed firstly through education, and if necessary through the mother’s normal disciplinary process, just as if a child were to neglect salah. Older children should be reminded of the reality that Jahannam (the Fire) is the destiny for those that deny Allah (glory be to Him) His right to receive our gratitude. Allah (glory be on Him) tells us in the Qur’an that gratitude is a characteristic of all good Muslims: If you are grateful, I will certainly give you increase, but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is severe. (Surah Ibrahim: Verse 7)
Thank Allah (glory be to Him) every day for making you a Muslim and ask Him to guide you to strengthen your faith and increase you in religious knowledge. Our record of gratitude throughout our life will be carefully examined on the Day of Judgement and will play a significant part in determining our fate in the hereafter. Ingratitude is symptomatic of being too concerned with worldly affairs and will count heavily against us when the weight of our good and bad deeds are examined. If you do recognize that you have been ungrateful, pray to Allah (glory be to Him) for forgiveness. Acknowledge your ingratitude, express regret, promise not to repeat it and ask for forgiveness. Try to offset your ingratitude with a good deed, such as extra prayers or a day of fasting.
Remember that worshiping Allah (glory be to Him) is the greatest way of expressing our gratitude to Him and obedience is a great form of worship. Try to establish as strong daily routine of worship including regular prayers (salah), remembrance of Allah (glory be to Him) through repeating phrases glorifying Allah (glory be to Him) (dhikr), asking Allah (glory be to Him) for help (dua), Qur’an study and trying to follow the Shariah. Regular fasting is a great way of reminding ourselves of Allah’s generosity (glory be to Him) and keeping gratitude uppermost in our minds. Surround yourself with friends that are naturally grateful, who will encourage you to towards the obedience of Allah (glory be to Him). Closely following the Islamic dress code is another good way of expressing gratitude to Allah (glory be to Him).
