9 Simple Lessons On Being Thankful From Islamic Teachings
By Hub Al Quran, Online Quran Academy. 13 February 2024
Table of Contents
Being thankful is very important in Islam. It helps us feel happier, brings us closer to God, and makes our lives better. We’re going to look at nine easy lessons from the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that teach us how to be more thankful in our everyday lives.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the simple blessings that make our lives meaningful. Islam, with its rich teachings, brings us back to the essence of gratitude, teaching us to find joy and appreciation in the smallest of God’s gifts.
Thankfulness is not just a quick emotion but a profound practice that shapes our approach to life, influencing our happiness, relationships, and spiritual journey. Through the guidance of the Quran and the wisdom of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), we’re offered valuable lessons on how to cultivate a heart full of thankfulness.
This journey through nine straightforward Islamic teachings on gratitude aims to enlighten our minds, enrich our souls, and transform our everyday actions into acts of thanksgiving. Let’s explore these timeless lessons that not only bring us closer to God but also add depth and joy to our daily lives.
1: Saying Thanks to God Makes Everything Better
The Quran tells us that if we are thankful, God will give us even more (Quran 14:7). This means that when we show appreciation for the things we have, God will bless us with more. Being thankful to God is a way to make our faith stronger. It helps us see the good in our lives and feel happier and more at peace.
Thanking God isn’t just about saying “thank you” out loud. It’s about feeling it in our hearts and showing it through our actions. When we recognize all the good things in our lives as gifts from God, we start to see how much we have to be thankful for. This can make us more positive and content with what we have.
2: Be Grateful Every Time You Pray
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told us to pray as if it’s our last chance to do so. This advice helps us remember to be thankful for every opportunity to connect with God. It teaches us to value our prayer time and to approach it with a thankful heart, knowing it’s a special chance to talk to God.
Prayer is a time to reflect on our blessings and to thank God for them. When we pray with a sense of gratitude, we feel closer to God and more at peace. It’s a reminder to not take these moments for granted and to use them to express our thanks for all the good in our lives.
3: Appreciate Your Food and Drink
The Quran encourages us to enjoy the food and drinks God has provided and to be thankful for them (Quran 2:172). Every meal and every drink is a blessing from God, and saying thank you for them is a simple but powerful way to show our gratitude. It’s a reminder of how lucky we are to have food on our table.
Being thankful for our meals also means not wasting food and appreciating the hard work that goes into preparing it. When we say a simple thank you before eating, we’re acknowledging God’s generosity. This helps us remember to not take these everyday blessings for granted.
4: Finding Good in Tough Times
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us that everything that happens to a believer is good. This means that even when bad things happen, there’s something good in it for us. Being thankful during hard times can be challenging, but it’s a powerful way to keep our faith strong. It helps us stay patient and find the silver lining in difficult situations.
Being grateful when times are tough doesn’t mean we’re happy about the wrong things. It means we trust God and believe that everything happens for a reason. This kind of gratitude helps us stay hopeful and find strength even in hard times. It’s about looking for the good that can come out of challenging situations.
5: Don't Forget to Thank Your Parents
The Quran tells us to be thankful to God and our parents (Quran 31:14). Our parents do so much for us, from taking care of us when we’re little to support us as we grow up. Showing gratitude to our parents is a big part of being a good Muslim. It’s a way to recognize all the love and hard work they put into raising us.
Thanking our parents can be as simple as saying “thank you,” helping around the house, or just spending time with them. It’s about showing them respect and appreciation for everything they’ve done for us. This not only makes them feel loved and valued but also pleases God.
6: Being Patient Shows You're Thankful
Patience and gratitude are closely connected in Islam. The Quran says that those who are patient will be significantly rewarded (Quran 39:10). When we’re patient, we’re showing that we trust God’s plan for us. It’s a way of being thankful for what we have, even if we’re going through a tough time.
Being patient means not getting upset or angry when things don’t go our way. It’s about accepting God’s will and finding peace in the fact that everything happens for a reason. This kind of patience is a sign of genuine appreciation because it shows we’re thankful for God’s guidance, even when it’s hard to understand.
7: Cherish Your Health and Time
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reminded us to be thankful for our health and the time we have before it’s too late. This means we should appreciate being able to move around and do things without pain or difficulty. It’s a reminder not to take our health for granted and to use our time wisely.
Being thankful for our health and time means taking care of ourselves and making the most of every day. It’s about doing good things, helping others, and making positive choices. This gratitude encourages us to live our lives in a way that’s pleasing to God, showing thanks for the precious gifts of health and time.
8: Sharing Is a Way of Being Thankful
The Quran teaches us that sharing with others is a way to show gratitude (Quran 2:272). When we share our blessings, whether it’s our time, money, or things, we’re saying thank you to God for what we have. It’s a way of acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from God and meant to be shared.
Sharing also reminds us that being thankful isn’t just about feeling grateful. It’s about acting on that gratitude by helping others. This not only makes the world a better place but also brings us closer to God. It shows we understand the actual value of our blessings by sharing them with those in need.
9: Be Thankful for Learning and Guidance
Being able to learn and follow the right path is something to be very thankful for. The Quran asks if someone who knows is the same as someone who doesn’t (Quran 39:9). This means that knowledge and guidance from God are special blessings. Being thankful for them means using what we learn to live better lives and help others.
Thanking God for the gift of knowledge means seeking to learn more and using our understanding to do good. It’s about appreciating the chance to grow and learn as a blessing and sharing what we know with others. This kind of thankfulness makes our lives more prosperous and more meaningful.
Conclusion
Being thankful is about much more than just saying “thank you.” Being thankful in Islam transcends mere words; it’s a way of life. It’s about seeing the divine grace in every moment, whether it’s in the joy of a sunrise, the comfort of a warm meal, or the challenge of a hardship that tests our faith and resilience.
These nine lessons from Islamic teachings offer us a blueprint for living with a grateful heart, encouraging us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the myriad blessings that God bestows upon us each day. By embedding gratitude into our daily practices—through prayer, patience, generosity, and mindfulness—we not only draw closer to God but also forge stronger bonds with those around us. In embodying these teachings, we pave the way for a more fulfilling, peaceful, and thankful life.
As we continue on our journey, let us carry the spirit of gratitude with us, using it to light our path and guide our actions. Let’s make gratitude a cornerstone of our identity as Muslims, showing the world the beauty and depth of Islamic teachings through our appreciation and love for the blessings, both big and small, that grace our lives.
Faqs
Being thankful is very important in Islam because it helps us recognize all the good things God has given us. When we’re thankful, we’re happier and feel closer to God. Islam teaches us that saying thanks to God makes Him give us even more blessings. So, being thankful is a way to make our lives better and to show God that we love and appreciate Him.
You can show gratitude to God in many simple ways every day. Saying “thank you” in your prayers, being happy with what you have, and trusting God even when things are hard are all ways to be thankful. Also, doing good things for others, like sharing your stuff or helping out, shows you’re grateful for what God has given you. Remember, even just being patient and not getting upset can be a way of saying thanks to God.
Islam teaches that we should be thankful not just when things are going well but also when they’re tough. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that everything that happens to a believer is good, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first. Being thankful during hard times means trusting that God has a plan for us and that there’s something good to learn or gain from every situation, no matter how difficult it might be.
Islam teaches us to be very thankful to our parents because of all the love, care, and hard work they put into raising us. The Quran says to be grateful to God and our parents, putting them right after God in terms of whom we should thank. Saying thanks, helping around the house, or just spending quality time with them are all ways to show our parents we appreciate everything they’ve done for us.
Yes, being thankful can definitely make your life better. When you’re thankful, you focus on the good things in your life, which makes you happier and more positive. Being grateful also helps you trust God more and feel closer to Him. Plus, when you share your blessings and say thanks for helping others, it makes your relationships more robust and can even bring new friendships and opportunities into your life. Gratitude makes you see the world in a brighter light and enjoy your life more every day.
