LIVE WITH AN ATTITUDE OF

GRATITUDE

‘Faith is two halves; one half is patience, and one half is gratitude.’

—The noble Messenger Muhammad (S)

Almighty Allah has placed His power in every human being. This power is dormant because we fail to use the triggers and methods that Almighty Allah has blessed us with. One way of glorifying Almighty Allah is to be grateful to Him, and this attitude of gratitude will enhance our ability to develop spiritually. When we make a niyah (intention), we unearth His influence, and He guides us through inspiration and the medium of the Noble Qur’an and Sunnah to discover Him.

In Surah Ibrahim, Almighty Allah promises the believer: ‘If you are grateful, I will add more favors unto you, but if you show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed’ ([14]:7). Within every human being there is the urge to grow spiritually, but very few realize that the power of Almighty Allah is within us. This power can be unleashed by following the ‘hand’ extended to us by Almighty Allah.

Almighty Allah’s help will participate with all who believe in Him and His power to transform His most loved creation.

Every human being has been created unique and the attitude of gratitude will have a different impact on each and every one of us. It is impossible for two people to have the same spiritual experience. Almighty Allah’s presence is everywhere, but in order to access it we need to focus on studying the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah and live with an attitude of gratitude.

The Noble Qur’an is a guide to humankind, from the womb to the tomb. It is not a book of history; it is a book of guidance. The stories related in the Noble Qur’an are not merely to provide information about the past; rather, they are lessons for us on how to behave, what lessons we can derive for the future, and how best to guide us to success. Appreciating the gifts that Almighty Allah has blessed us with enhances our intention, retention and attention. We will understand the true meaning of the Power of Now!

Our mind, the most powerful instrument, can achieve anything we want in life. Tap into the power of Almighty Allah and experience success. We must read the Noble Qur’an to comprehend the Power of Almighty Allah. That will develop our spiritual vision and teach us the method to control negative forces on this planet.

Almighty Allah inspires us to seek what is important: knowledge, wealth and any desire to empower both our spiritual and material wellbeing. In the Noble Qur’an, Almighty Allah repeatedly emphasizes we must be grateful to Him for the favours He has bestowed upon us. In Surah al-Imran we are told: ‘And remember with gratitude Allah’s favours on you’ ([3]:103). To live with an attitude of gratitude is the most powerful way to unleash Almighty Allah’s power within. When we live with gratitude we uncover the dormant inherent potential, abilities, talents and power placed in us by Almighty Allah. This power, when unleashed, will guide us in our spiritual journey to return to Almighty Allah, fulfilled.

In Surah an-Nur, Almighty Allah reminds humankind: ‘Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praise all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds [of the air] with wings outspread. Each one knows its own mode of prayer and praise and Allah knows well all they do’ ([24]:41).

In Surah al-Anbiya, Almighty Allah states: ‘To Allah belong all those who are in the heavens and on earth, even those who are in His presence are never too proud to worship Him; they never grow weary to be of service to Allah. They celebrate His praises night and day tirelessly’ ([21]:19-20).

The entire creation praises Almighty Allah; mysterious forces are released when we continuously praise Him.

In Surah as-Saff, Almighty Allah says: ‘Whatever is in the Heavens and on Earth, Let it declare the Praises and Glory of Allah, for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise’ ([61]:1).

Almighty Allah reminds us that all the angels in the spiritual world near His throne worship and serve Him continuously. Almighty Allah’s creations in the heavens, such as angels, and His creations on earth, including rivers, seas, animals, insects, fish, birds, and the air we breathe, celebrate Almighty Allah’s praises. Every creation has its own way of praying and expressing gratitude to the Almighty.

Almighty Allah’s power, wisdom, kindness and love are shown in everything that benefits creation. The sun, moon, stars, days, nights, rain, hail, storms and lightning are all signs of the power of Almighty Allah.

The mind has miraculous potential that is waiting to be unleashed. Gratitude is one of the means to enhance our inner abilities. There are no limits to our potential when we are sincerely grateful to Almighty Allah for all His blessings, knowledge and favours He has graced us with. To live on this planet earth with an attitude of gratitude, one experiences bliss (heaven).

The attitude of gratitude balances our mind, soul and activities in this material world. Almighty Allah promises the believer who lives with an attitude of gratitude that He will add more favours. Gratefulness opens up our hearts; the energy and frequency of being grateful balances our personalities. Sincere, intense, profound gratitude to Almighty Allah truly awakens the hidden powers within. The potential of our mind, heart and soul is amplified and the genius within is unleashed.

In Surah an-Naml, Almighty Allah says: ‘He who is grateful (to Almighty Allah) truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul’ ([27]:40).

Gratitude opens the door of our hearts and souls. The power and potential of the mind and soul are strengthened and intensified through the power of gratitude. Almighty Allah needs no gratitude or thanks from us; those who live with an attitude of gratitude do so for the benefit of their own soul. Gratitude attracts more of Almighty Allah’s favours; He grants favours when He pleases and expects nothing in return. He is Most Generous, Most Merciful.

When true gratitude is expressed from within, with sincerity and commitment we access the most powerful, creative force Almighty Allah has placed in us: the power of love. Our desires then become harmonious with the Will of Almighty Allah; we pray to Him to bless us with His desires. Life then becomes meaningful, productive and endless. When we submit to the Will of Almighty Allah, He fulfils our expectations.

Our gratitude to Almighty Allah does good for our own souls; it elevates us to a higher rank in the spiritual dimension. Ungratefulness only impedes our progress in the spiritual and material dimensions. We must not underestimate the power of gratitude that can have an amazing effect on all areas of our life.

Try it. Let us make the intention to perform our salat, fast, give charity and renew our faith-commitment. Read the Noble Qur’an daily, in Arabic and English. Thank Almighty Allah constantly for blessing us with everything we have. Go into detail when thanking and praising Him. Thank Him for the beautiful day. Thank Him for the abundance He has blessed us with. Thank Him for blessing us with a family, beautiful wife or husband and children. We must appreciate our families, homes, gardens and the environment. Remember we are in this dimension for a short time; the truth will manifest when we leave this planet called Earth. Let us not have regrets; when death calls upon us, it will be too late.

Almighty Allah (SWT) appeals to humankind to call upon His beautiful names that will transform us. In Surah alA‘raaf, Almighty Allah says: ‘The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call Him by them’ ([7]:180).

Remembrance of Almighty Allah’s names in the waking hours of our life strengthens our will and determination to follow His law. Almighty Allah commands us to remember Him at all times, praise and declare His names in thought, word and deed. Almighty Allah’s favours are beyond our imagination. The knowledge Almighty Allah has blessed humankind within the Noble Qur’an is infinite.

In Surah al-Baqarah, Almighty Allah says: ‘A similar (favour have ye already received). In that we have sent among you a Messenger from among you, reciting to you Our revelations, and sanctifying you, and instructing you in Scripture and wisdom and in new knowledge. Therefore, remember Me, I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and reject not faith’ ([2]:151–152).

The attitude of gratitude inspires us to understand that the power of Almighty Allah is everywhere without which nothing can move. We then comprehend the mystery that surrounds us. Awareness of the power of Almighty Allah will enhance the value of our life, mould our destiny and we will create a meaningful life in this temporary dimension.

Gratitude awakens our real inner power which has a flourishing ripple effect on all areas of our lives. When we are generously grateful, wonderful things happen to us, our family, our relationships, and our physical wellbeing. We are embedded with courage and graced with boldness, fearlessness, and live under the protection of Almighty Allah. Sincere, intense and profound gratitude to Almighty Allah truly awakens the hidden powers that He has placed in us.

In Surah Luqman, Almighty Allah says: ‘Show thy gratitude to Allah. Any who is grateful does so to the profit of his own soul, but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, worthy of all praise’ ([31]:12).

Being grateful to Almighty Allah benefits our own soul and does not make a difference to Him, for He is above all needs, worthy of all Praise. When we obey Almighty Allah’s will we are in total harmony with our own nature as created by Almighty Allah. Expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah builds our own soul, which leads to the discovery of the power of Almighty Allah within.

We must be grateful to Almighty Allah for He has blessed us with invincible energy and flow of life-force that constantly surrounds us. Praising Almighty Allah can unleash supernatural forces. His Power, His Mercy and all the attributes in His beautiful names can be contemplated on. The state of gratitude increases our love for our family, our fellowmen and for ourselves. When we are in a constant state of gratitude, our consciousness expands; we exceed our sensory perceptions; and our sphere of influence expands.

Let us discover the power within and align ourselves to the higher power of life—Almighty Allah. Life is beautiful; we have been placed on this planet for a purpose. We all are here for a different purpose in life. Every one of us has to discover his or her strengths and spend time and energy exploiting, pursuing and fulfilling our potential. Gratitude to Almighty Allah must not only be in words. Almighty Allah does not measure us by words alone, but by our deeds, our actions, and conduct in life.

We are the only creation that has the freedom of thought, the freedom of word (speech) and the freedom to eat anything we desire (halaal, that which does not harm the body). The power of thought has been bestowed upon Almighty Allah’s most favoured creation: human beings, who have the ability to control entire creation, including the angels. Almighty Allah created us; we are from Him; and we belong to Him. He has blessed us with some of His powers and to Him shall we return.

What a great gift Almighty Allah has blessed us with, the power of thought. The only difference between man and animal is the power of thought. Thank Almighty Allah for blessing us with a wonderful mind of our own, with which we can ponder the mysteries of life.

In Surah al-Mu’minoon, Almighty Allah calls upon humankind to ponder on all of His creation. He says: ‘Do they not ponder over the word of Allah’ ([23]:68).

In Surah al-Imran, Almighty Allah calls upon us to contemplate upon His creation: ‘And contemplate the wonders of creation, in the heavens and the earth (with the thought). ‘O Allah! Not in vain hast Thou created all this!’’ ([3]:191).