Giving Thanks To Allah

The Messenger of Allah [s] said:

"Surely the faithful who is satisfied with food and drink; and then thanks Allah, is given the same reward as a fasting man. Allah is Gracious and appreciates gratitude."

One of the companions of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir [a] reported the following incident, when he was travelling with the Imam on the road towards Madina. On the way, he saw the Imam get down and began prostrating to Allah, which greatly surprised him. After completing his prostration the Imam said to his companion:

"It seems that you are astonished to see me prostrating"

His companion answered: "Yes," and the Imam said:

"Remembering one of Allah's blessings to me, I could not continue until I had given thanks to Him."

Thus the infallible Imams of Ahlul-Bait [a] instruct us to thank Almighty Allah for each of His blessings.

As we see, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir [a], remembering one of Allah's blessings on his way, stopped and prostrated to Allah to give thanks for His blessings.

Surely Allah gives us so many favours (blessings) that we are not able to count them all, He provides us with good health, and intellect with which to think; eyes with which to see; ears with which to hear. He also supplies us with food and drink. It is through His favour that we may be healed when we are ill. We should always feel thankful for the blessings of Allah and praise and thank Him.

Certainly we thank Allah when He gives us food and drink.

And how grateful we are when He saves us from danger or harm!

And how we thank Him if He delivers us from drowning, or a car accident!

And how we thank Him when we see a disabled man or a blind man while we are in a good health!

We are aware of Allah's blessings upon us when we see all these happenings.

Indeed, from the hadith of the Prophet of Allah [s] we know that our Prophet said: "Whoever is satisfied with food and drink and praises Allah for His blessings, Allah will certainly reward him for his thanks as surely as He gives the fasting man a reward for his fasting, because Allah appreciates the good deeds of His servants and He loves them to show their gratitude."

My Lord, Sustain me that I may be thankful for the favours that You have conferred upon me and my parents, and to do what is righteous that I may receive Your satisfaction.