Shukr — Gratitude to Allah

Definition

Shukr (شكر) means gratitude and thankfulness, expressed through the heart, tongue, and limbs. In Islam, gratitude is not merely a feeling but a comprehensive response to Allah's blessings that manifests in acknowledgment, praise, and using blessings in ways that please the One who granted them.

Quranic Emphasis

Allah says: 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you' (14:7). This verse establishes a divine principle: gratitude brings increase, while ingratitude brings loss. The Quran also notes: 'And few of My servants are grateful' (34:13), indicating that true gratitude is rare and therefore highly valued by Allah.

Three Dimensions of Gratitude

Scholars describe shukr as having three components. Gratitude of the heart means recognizing that every blessing comes from Allah alone and feeling genuine appreciation. Gratitude of the tongue means praising Allah verbally, saying Alhamdulillah regularly, and speaking about His blessings. Gratitude of the limbs means using every blessing in obedience to Allah: using healthy eyes to read the Quran, using wealth to help others, and using time in productive worship.

The Grateful Servant

When Aisha asked the Prophet why he prayed at night until his feet swelled when Allah had already forgiven all his sins, he replied: 'Should I not be a grateful servant?' (Bukhari). This shows that gratitude is expressed through increased worship, not complacency. The more one receives, the more one should give thanks through action.