Shukr — Gratitude in Islam

Shukr (gratitude) is both a duty and a station of the believer. Allah promises: "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you" (Quran 14:7). This is a divine guarantee: gratitude attracts more blessings. Conversely, ingratitude invites their removal: "And if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe" (Quran 14:7). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would stand in prayer at night until his feet swelled, and when asked why he exerted himself so much despite being forgiven all sins, he replied: "Should I not be a grateful servant?" (Sahih al-Bukhari). Gratitude is the natural response of a heart that recognizes Allah's countless favors.

Three Dimensions of Gratitude

The scholars describe shukr as having three dimensions. Gratitude of the heart (shukr al-qalb): recognizing that all blessings come from Allah and that one is undeserving of them. Gratitude of the tongue (shukr al-lisan): praising Allah verbally, saying Alhamdulillah, and speaking about His favors. The Quran instructs: "And as for the favor of your Lord, report it" (Quran 93:11). Gratitude of the limbs (shukr al-jawarih): using Allah's blessings in His obedience rather than in His disobedience. If He gave you eyes, use them to read Quran and avoid looking at the forbidden. If He gave you wealth, spend it in halal ways and charity. If He gave you health, use it in worship and service.

Gratitude to People

Gratitude in Islam extends to thanking the people through whom Allah's blessings reach you. The Prophet said: "Whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah" (Sunan Abu Dawud). Expressing appreciation to parents, teachers, spouses, friends, and anyone who does good is a religious act. The minimum expression of thanks is to say "JazakAllahu khayran" (may Allah reward you with good), which the Prophet described as the most complete way to express thanks (Sunan al-Tirmidhi).

Gratitude in Difficulty

True gratitude is tested in times of hardship. The believer recognizes that even trials contain blessings: the opportunity for patience and reward, the expiation of sins, the drawing closer to Allah, and the perspective gained. The Prophet said: "If Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is patient will have patience, and whoever is anxious will have anxiety" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi). Looking at those who have less rather than those who have more cultivates gratitude: "Look at those who are below you and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more suitable that you should not belittle the blessing of Allah" (Sahih Muslim).

Few Are Truly Grateful

Despite the abundance of Allah's blessings, the Quran notes: "And few of My servants are grateful" (Quran 34:13). This is because gratitude requires constant awareness, humility, and effort. The sheer number of blessings, from the beating of the heart to the air we breathe, is so vast that the human being cannot even count them, let alone thank Allah for each one: "And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them" (Quran 14:34). The goal is not to count every blessing but to live in a state of perpetual awareness and thankfulness, recognizing that every moment of existence is a gift from the Most Generous.