BEYOND EXCUSES

T he Prophet of Islam observed: “Look only to those who are less privileged than you; do not look to those who are more privileged than you, because in this way you will not undervalue God’s blessings upon you.” (Musnad Ahmad) This Hadith is explained by another Hadith. “The Prophet said that God will accept him as His thankful and patient servant who possesses two particular qualities. One is the capacity, in the matters of this world, to look to those who are inferior to him and then be thankful to God for the blessings that God has given him. The other is the capacity, in matters of religion, to look to those who are superior to him and then to follow them. A person who looks at people less devout than himself in religion but compares himself with those richer or higher in status in worldly matters becomes unhappy with what he lacks. Such a person will not be truly grateful for what he has. Nor will he remain patient in the eyes of God.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi) Gratitude is the greatest form of worship. What is most required of a person is that he should discover God as the greatest Benefactor. Then his heart and mind should be filled with the awareness of God’s blessings. He must recognize God as a Being, who is raining down His countless blessings upon him. This consciousness should be so strong that in no way should the feelings of gratefulness to God be absent from his heart. But this is no simple matter. To keep oneself brimming with feelings of thankfulness, it is essential that a person’s consciousness should be fully alive. He should take special care FEELING OF GRATITUDE How to Nurture it? To keep oneself brimming with feelings of thankfulness, it is essential that a person’s consciousness should be fully alive. He should take special care to perpetuate his gratefulness.