Gratitude
Mohamedarif Mohamed Suleman (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) is a digital marketing specialist and an Educator-cum-Trainer. He has involved himself in community organisations and matters from a young age, and through his writings, continues to speak of social and cultural reform to this day. He is also the founding moderator of this forum (1996).
The pursuit of happiness is relentless; the human heart often finds itself entangled in a paradox: the more it acquires, the more it desires. This cycle of endless wanting creates a void that material wealth cannot fill, leading to a restlessness that disturbs the soul’s tranquillity. However, the virtue of gratitude serves as a powerful antidote to this spiritual agitation. By fostering a state of contentment, gratitude acts as a shield against the corrosive emotions of envy and arrogance, anchoring the believer in the recognition that all blessings originate from Allah (SWT).
The human inclination to look upward at those who possess more is a primary source of dissatisfaction. When the eye is fixed on the fortunes of others, feelings of scarcity and injustice arise. Without the intervention of gratitude, the onset of envy is inevitable, slowly eroding the peace of the heart.
To understand the transformative power of gratitude, one need only look to a simple anecdote passed down through generations. It is said that a man once lamented his poverty and lack of shoes, complaining bitterly to Allah about his state. That is, until he saw a man who had no feet. In that moment of stark realisation, his complaint turned into praise. He realised that while he lacked a specific covering, he possessed the limbs to walk, a blessing he had previously ignored. This shift in perspective is the essence of contentment; it is not the abundance of possessions, but the acknowledgement of existing mercies that brings peace to the heart.
Conversely, gratitude redirects the gaze from what is lacking to what is present. It reminds the believer that every possession, health, and relationship is a divine endowment rather than a mere product of one’s own effort. This realisation dismantles arrogance; when one truly understands that their blessings are gifts from Allah (SWT), there is no room for pride, only humility. The grateful heart recognises that it is a recipient of mercy, not a master of fortune.
To maintain this state of gratitude, one must engage in rigorous self-reflection. It is not enough to simply feel thankful; one must be diligent in examining the inner landscape of the soul. This process of introspection involves pausing amidst the chaos of daily life to acknowledge the subtle mercies that are often overlooked – the breath in one’s lungs, the safety of a home, or the company of a loved one. A diligent approach to self-reflection ensures that gratitude is not a fleeting emotion but a disciplined state of mind. It forces the individual to confront their own insignificance in the face of divine generosity, thereby solidifying the heart’s contentment.
Furthermore, the bridge between gratitude and contentment is built through communication with the Creator. It is critical for the heart’s peace that the believer possesses a deep desire to communicate with Allah (SWT). Through prayer and supplication, a person learns to articulate their deepest fears, hopes, and appreciations. When a believer articulates their thanks in prayer, they are not merely reciting words; they are affirming their dependence on the Divine. This communication transforms gratitude from an internal sentiment into an active relationship. It reassures the heart that it is not alone in its struggles, fostering a profound sense of serenity that worldly achievements cannot replicate.
The spiritual dimension of this virtue is often celebrated in the poetry of the Muslim world. A short poem reflects this sentiment:
The heart that remembers the Giver’s name
finds a fortress against sorrow and shame.
Though the world may offer glitter and gold,
Contentment is the story the grateful told.
This poetic wisdom finds a powerful echo in the works of the philosopher-poet Allama Iqbal. In his celebrated work Bang-e-Dra, Iqbal emphasises the transformative nature of a believer’s connection with the Divine. He writes of the Mu´min (believer) whose spirit remains elevated not through material gain, but through spiritual wakefulness. One of his famous couplets translates:
“He who is intoxicated with the wine of Your love, finds the dawn even within the darkest night.”
For Iqbal, gratitude is not a passive act but a dynamic force that strengthens the self (Khudi). It allows the believer to remain content and dignified, detached from the material rat race, secure in the knowledge that their true wealth lies in their bond with Allah.
Through diligent self-reflection, adherence to the wisdom of the Ahl al-Bayt, and a sincere desire to communicate with Allah (SWT), the believer secures a peace that transcends circumstances. Ultimately, gratitude is more than a virtue; it is the sustaining force that allows the heart to rest in the assurance of divine wisdom.
In Ziyaarat Ameenullah, we find this heart-warming prayer…
O Allah, let my soul be at rest in Your Ordainments
May I be pleased with Your Decree
Cherishing Your Remembrance and eager to supplicate to You
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