Gratitude in Islam

Gratitude, known as "shukr" in Arabic, is a fundamental concept in Islam that holds a significant place in the faith's teachings, ethics, and daily practices. It encompasses acknowledging and appreciating the blessings, favors, and bounties bestowed by Allah (God) and responding with a sense of thankfulness and devotion.

1. Gratitude towards Allah: In Islam, gratitude is primarily directed towards Allah. Muslims believe that all blessings, whether tangible or intangible, come from God. The Quran repeatedly urges believers to be grateful to Allah for His numerous favors. For instance, Surah Ibrahim (14:7) states: "And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'"

2. Expressing Gratitude in Worship: Islamic worship itself is a form of gratitude. Rituals like Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) are acts of worship and thankfulness to Allah. Additionally, specific prayers and supplications (dua) in daily life express gratitude and thankfulness to God.

3. Gratitude in Adversity and Prosperity: Islamic teachings emphasize gratitude both in times of ease and hardship. Gratitude during times of prosperity involves recognizing and being thankful for blessings. Equally important is maintaining gratitude during trials and tribulations, as hardships are seen as tests from Allah. The concept of "sabr" (patience) is closely associated with gratitude. Muslims are encouraged to endure with patience and gratitude, knowing that challenges also carry opportunities for growth and blessings.

4. Gratitude towards Others: Islam teaches gratitude towards fellow humans as well. Showing appreciation and kindness to others, including family, neighbors, and society at large, is considered a part of expressing gratitude towards Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah" (Ahmad, Tirmidhi).

5. Gratitude and Ethical Behavior: Gratitude is intertwined with Islamic ethics. It encourages humility, contentment, generosity, and compassion. Gratefulness fosters a sense of responsibility and encourages Muslims to use their blessings for the betterment of society, emphasizing the importance of sharing wealth, knowledge, and resources with others.

6. Teachings from Islamic Texts: The Quran and Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) contain numerous references to gratitude. Verses in the Quran emphasize the importance of being thankful to Allah and warn against ingratitude. The sayings of the Prophet Muhammad provide guidance on gratitude in various aspects of life.

7. Cultivating Gratitude in Daily Life: Islamic teachings promote the remembrance of Allah through prayers (dhikr) and supplications that express gratitude throughout the day. Muslims are encouraged to say phrases like Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah) frequently, expressing gratitude for blessings big and small.

In summary, gratitude in Islam is a comprehensive concept deeply embedded in the faith's teachings and practices. It involves acknowledging Allah's blessings, expressing thanks through worship and ethical behavior, and cultivating a mindset of appreciation and contentment in all aspects of life.

Below are some other elements of gratitude in Islam:

1. Types of Gratitude in Islam: Islamic scholars differentiate between three levels of gratitude:

• Gratitude of the Heart (Qalb): This refers to the internal acknowledgment and appreciation of Allah's blessings, recognizing them as gifts from Him.
• Gratitude of the Tongue (Lisan): It involves verbally expressing thanks to Allah and praising Him for His favors. Saying phrases like Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah) or Shukran (Thank you) demonstrates this type of gratitude.
• Gratitude through Actions (Jawarih): It involves using one's faculties, wealth, and blessings in ways that are pleasing to Allah. Using one's abilities and resources for good deeds and helping others is an expression of gratitude.

2. Gratitude in Daily Rituals: Islamic practices and rituals are infused with expressions of gratitude. The five daily prayers (Salah) are not just acts of worship but also opportunities to express gratitude and devotion to Allah. The prostration (Sujood) in prayers is considered the peak of worship and gratitude, where believers humble themselves before God.

3. Gratitude and Generosity: Gratitude in Islam is interconnected with generosity and sharing. Muslims are encouraged to be charitable (Zakat and Sadaqah) and share their blessings with those in need. Being grateful for wealth or resources entails using them for the betterment of society and helping those less fortunate.

4. Prophetic Example of Gratitude: The life of the Prophet Muhammad serves as a model for expressing gratitude in various situations. His actions and sayings highlight the importance of thanking Allah for blessings, whether they are apparent or hidden.

5. Gratitude as a Form of Worship: Islamic scholars assert that gratitude is a form of worship that draws believers closer to Allah. Recognizing and appreciating blessings, whether they are personal, communal, or environmental, is considered a way to honor and worship the Creator.

In essence, gratitude in Islam is multifaceted, encompassing various levels of acknowledgment, expression, and action. It's an integral part of a Muslim's daily life, impacting one's spirituality, ethical conduct, and interactions with both God and fellow human beings.

How to Build a Gratitude Practice

Buying a physical gratitude journal can be a starting point; however, many struggle to consistently stick with writing in a physical journal. It’s hard to take that journal on travels, schedule changes in everyday life may disrupt your routine, and the experience can turn into a chore versus an opportunity to build a meaningful gratitude practice.

That’s why we’ve created Soul. It uses spontaneous SMS nudges—which creates novelty—to make it easier than ever to build that gratitude habit. Plus, because it’s designed for SMS/iMessage/WhatsApp you can share photos, videos, voice memos, or text. The SMS nudges—essentially research-backed gratitude prompts and questions—give you inspiration on what to write in your journal.

It makes it really easy to build a gratitude journal, leveraging what we all constantly use—our mobile phones—to give ideas of what to write about in the gratitude journal. All your responses are encrypted on Soul’s database that you can access online, memorializing all your moments. You can learn more about how we thought about creating Soul here.

Gratitude in other Religious Traditions

The essence of gratitude is found in other religious traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Many of these traditions extol gratitude and academic research reinforces that. Gratitude is shown to reduce stress and increase happiness.

Gratitude is also powerful in different contexts such as school, healthcare, or the workplace. Whatever the context, gratitude is a transformative practice that moves the heart and mind.