SUJOOD AL-SHUKR
‘Gratitude to Allah for the abundance you have received is the best insurance that abundance will continue.’ —The noble Messenger Muhammad (S)
The noble Messenger Muhammad (S) used to prostrate immediately when good news was brought to him. Sajdat al-Shukr (prostration of gratitude) is prescribed for anything that makes one happy, whether it is attaining some benefit or warding off some harm. The evidence (daleel) for this is to be found in the Ahadeeth and Aathar (reports). Among the Ahaadeeth is the Hadeeth of Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that when the noble Messenger Muhammad (S) heard any news that made him glad, he would fall down prostrating to Allah (SWT).
According to the version narrated by Ahmad: ‘when news reached him that his troops had prevailed over their enemy, the noble Messenger Muhammad (S), while lying with his head in ‘Aa’ishah’s (r.a.) lap, immediately got up and fell in prostration.’
SUJOOD AL-SHUKR
In another Hadeeth narrated by ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, who said: the noble Messenger Muhammad (S) went out to the place where the Sadaqah (charitable donations) was kept, then he faced the Qiblah and fell in prostration, remaining like that for a long time.
Then he raised his head and said, “Jibreel came to me with good news, he said, ‘Allah says to you, “Whoever sends blessing on you, I will send blessings on him, and whoever sends greetings of peace to you, I will send greetings of peace to him,” so I prostrated in thankfulness to Allah.”
In Surah al-Ahzab Allah reminds us that we must send blessings on the noble Messenger Muhammad (S): ‘Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: ‘O ye firmly committed to Allah, send ye blessings on Him and salute him with the best of salutations’ ([33]:56).
The Shukr Sujood can be made without wudhu and even if women have their menses.
In Surah al-Naml, Almighty Allah promises the truly committed Muslim who is grateful for the blessings he receives: ‘If any is grateful truly his gratitude is a gain for his own soul’ ([27]:40).
Expressing Shukr attracts more of Allah’s favours; people who are grateful are more successful than people who are resentful or have hate and revenge in them. Allah blesses His entire creation even those who have animosity or hate in them. Their resentment is a blockage that prevents them from receiving blessings from Almighty Allah.
214 PART FOUR: EMPOWER YOURSELF
The noble Messenger Muhammad (S) said: ‘Happy is the person who finds fault within himself instead of finding faults with others.’ ‘From morning until night and from night until morning keep your hearts free from malice towards anyone.’ Allah’s favours are like a river that makes no distinction where it flows. One is either aligned with Allah or not. When we submit to the Will of Allah we are swimming with the tide.
In Surah Luqman Allah says: ‘Whoever submits himself to Allah and excels in good deeds has indeed taken hold of a most firm support. With Allah rests the final outcome of all wants’ ([31]:22).
When we refuse to acknowledge that all power belongs to Allah we inhibit the flow of blessings and cut ourselves from His Grace and Bounty. We must wake up every day with an attitude of gratitude and pray Fajr Salat. Thank Allah for blessing us with another beautiful pleasant day.
When waking in the morning pray: ‘All praise is due to Allah, who has given life after causing us to die and to Him is our resurrection. All praise is due to Allah who has returned upon me my soul, has given me wellness in my body and has permitted me to be in Zikr of Him.’ (Refer to the Adhkaar at the end of this book).
Develop a mental attitude of gratitude to Almighty Allah. Gratitude to Almighty Allah must not only be in words but by our deeds. Allah does not measure us by words only, but by our deeds, our actions and conduct in life. Praising
SUJOOD AL-SHUKR
Allah unleashes supernatural forces, His Power and His Mercy. All His Attributes and His beautiful names must be contemplated on. Praising Allah and having a heart that is pure, enables Allah’s blessings to flow through us.
The noble Messenger Muhammad (S) said: ‘A bad attitude spoils a good deed just as vinegar spoils honey.’