I. Be grateful

EB e grateful to Allah and be grateful to His creatures. There is a hadith of the Messenger of Allah (~) that states: «One who is not grateful to people is not grateful to Allah.» 21 «Suhayb reported that the Prophet (~) said: "The believer's affair is amazing: it is all for the good, and that is not the case of anyone other than a believer. If good times come to him, he is thankful and thus it is good for him, and if bad times befall him, he is 22 patient, and thus it is also good for him."» Allah's blessings are countless. Think about your sense of sight, hearing, touch, smell; think about your health, wealth, family and friends; think about your kids, your parents, and your spouse. The following story may clarify the importance of this: "Prophet Muhammad once told the story of a worshipper who lived in total isolation for 1000 years, doing nothing but worshipping Allah. When this man died, Allah ordered the angels to take him to Heaven by the Mercy of Allah. The man disagreed, stating that he should go to Heaven as a result of his own work, his 1000 years of worship. Allah then ordered His angels to settle the man's account. The angels put the worshipper's work on one scale of the balance and on the other they started by putting the blessing of eyesight. The scale carrying only the eyesight blessing was much heavier. The man then shouted, 'By your mercy, 0 Allah, by your mercy!' Allah replied, 21 Abu Dawood, A}:!med and Tirmidhi (who graded it as sound). 22 Muslim. 'Take my servant to Heaven by my mercy.' " 23 Allah(~) says in His Book: ~And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the Blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them .. ) (Quran 14: 34) Even if you are encountering some problems or inconveniences, think about those who are in a worse condition: The Prophet (~) advised: «Look at those who are inferior to you and do not look at the ones above you, this is worthier of you so you do not despise Allah's blessings.»24 Once Imam Malik was walking when he met an old, blind, handicapped person sitting on the side of the road praying and thanking Allah for his blessings. The Imam stopped and asked the old worshipper, "What are you giving thanks for?" The old man replied, "Didn't Allah bless me with a healthy heart to glorify Him with?" 25 I love these verses sung by A}:lmed Bukhatir: 26 With feet to take me where I'd go; With eyes to see the sunset's glow; With ears to hear what I'd know, 0 God, forgive me when I whine. I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine! 23 Jandi, K. C.s-1.::l:-1 .i.JL,,;.), 2004. 24 Muslim. · 25 Jandi, K. (.s-1.::l:-1 .i.JL,,;.), 2004. 26 A~med Bu-khatir is a singer of Islamic nasheed (songs without musical instrumental accompaniment) who is well known in the Arab world. Remember, there is always a divine blessing that we need to be thankful for; there is always a benefaction, a grace that we need to glorify and praise Allah for. Do not eye other people' s blessings thinking that you are deprived in some way. 27 Allah is the Most Just. Each and every one of us has his appropriate gifts, you just have to feel and enjoy them. Do not let your life speed before your eyes like a video clip. Enjoy each and every moment, celebrate each and every boon. Stop for a while and reflect; what did you encounter today that brought a sense of happiness and satisfaction to your heart? It does not have to be a big thing: did you see the beautiful sunrise, did you smell the breeze of fresh air or may be notice the smile on your little child's face? You will find a lot to thank Allah for. «A man once asked 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-' Ar "Am I not one of the poor immigrants?" 'Abdullah replied, "Do you have a wife to go back to?" The man said, "Yes"; then 'Abdullah asked, "Do you have a house to live in?" Again the man nodded. 'Abdullah said, "Then you are one of the rich ones." The man added, "And I have a servant." 'Abdullah said, "Then, you are one of the kings!"» 28