Bismillah.
Being Allah’s slave means that we have to be grateful to Him.
Living here in Australia, we have so much to be grateful for. We have security and peace while we live in a time where most of the Muslim World is in chaos and the safety and security of people and their property cannot be guaranteed.
Allah says in Surah Yunus 10:60,
“Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful.”
And in Surah Surah Saba [34:13] Allah says,
“But few of My slaves are grateful.”
So, we must be grateful. Even if we are small in number. Even though we find that other people are not grateful, we should be grateful. We have to strive to be that elite group of people which Allah says are few in number. That small group of grateful slaves.
So that main question is how can we be grateful slaves of Allah?
- By recognising everything that He has given to you.
“Thus Allah makes clear to you His Ayat that you may be grateful.” [Surah al-Ma’idah 5:89]
His ayat or signs are numerous, some of which we know and some of which we do not know.
Everyday Allah gives us provision, health, wealth and strength to do things. Every moment we have breath in our lungs, we need to be grateful to Allah who has given us taufeeq to live, to enjoy, to talk, to work and to be with our family and friends.
Allah says about the person who recognises His signs saying in Surah Luqman [31:31],
“Verily, in this are signs for every patient, grateful person.”
- The grateful slave remembers with Kind and Loving Master
Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah [2:152],
“Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be grateful to Me and never be ungrateful to Me.”
So, Allah connected His remembrance with being grateful to Him. The greatest remembrance a person can do is to worship Allah - to pray salah five times daily. There is no Ibadan greater than salah.
So, a grateful slave of Allah will take care of his or her salah.
And again in Surah az-Zumar [39:66] Allah says,
“But worship Allah, and be among the grateful.”
- Fear Allah
In Surah al-Imran [3:123] Allah says,
“So fear Allah much that you may be grateful.”
A grateful slave of Allah is not disobedient to Him. A grateful slave of Allah tries his or her best to please their Rabb. A grateful slave of Allah fears the displeasure of their Lord.
Like you would not sin in front of your parents, you should take care not to sin against Allah. Fearing Allah is part of iman. We fear Allah so that He will forgive us and reward us for our efforts to please Him.
- Make du’a that Allah makes you grateful
In Surah al-Ahqaf [46:15] Allah gives us a du’a to recite in order for Allah to give us the ability to be grateful to Him.
“O my Lord, help me to be grateful for Your flavours which You have bestowed upon me, and upon my parents, and to do good deeds that will please you.”
Indeed our Rabb is extremely merciful and loving towards His slaves. That He has given us a du’a in the Qur’an to ask to be grateful to Him. We are to learn this du’a and to keep asking Allah to become His grateful slaves.
And not only that. Subhan Allah!
When we do become grateful slaves of Allah, He says in the Qur’an,
“And We shall reward the grateful.” [Surah al-Imran 3:145]
So after being grateful and everything that we are grateful for is from Him, then He rewards us for being grateful. Subhan Allah, how incredible is Allah?
- Make a list of all of the things you are grateful for
People who are depressed and suffer from depression are encouraged by psychologists to make a list of things in their lives that they are grateful for. This is done because it has psychological benefits. Studies show that a depressed person who makes a list of things they are grateful for every day starts to feel better about themselves and their life.
So if any one of us feels down or depressed about our situation in life, make a list of things that you are grateful for and watch your mood and attitude to your life change for the better.
Being a grateful slave of Allah is indeed a great favour and blessing from Allah in itself.
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) advised us,
"Look to one who is lower than you, and do not look to one who is above you. For indeed that is more worthy of you so that you will not belittle Allah's favours upon you.” (Jami at-Tirmidhi #2513: sahih)
There is an important message in this hadith, that in order to be grateful to Allah do not look at those who have better things than you. But look at those who have less than you, then you will become grateful.
Also do not think that just because someone has better things than you that they are not being tested by Allah.
Everyone of us is being tested - from the homeless man in the city to the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company.
The key is to be a grateful slave of Allah.
So the take home message is:
- Recognise all the favours and blessings that Allah has given you in your life.
- Pray five times a day
- Fear Allah and do good deeds deeds.
- Make du’a to be a grateful slave of Allah.
- Make a list of things you are grateful for every day.
