The true nature of gratitude.

In this timely reminder following the blessed pilgrimage of Hajj, brother Hassan Shibly shares some reflections on the virtues of gratitude and patience, as well as their mighty rewards from Allah ﷻ.

In Surat az-Zumar, Allah ﷻ says:

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.”

Qur’an 39:10

The virtue of patience is oft-repeated throughout the Qur’an, and is very often coupled with gratitude, where Allah points to His blessings as signs for those who are patient and grateful

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ

“Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.”

Qur’an 14:5, 31:31, 34:19, 42:33

One of the core aspects of both of these virtues is that for them to be truly practiced, they must be applied both in times of ease and in times of hardship.

This principle was alluded to in the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ when he said,

إِنَّمَا الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ الصَّدْمَةِ الأُولَى

“Verily, the real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.” Al-Bukhari

This shows that patience and gratitude are not only practiced when it’s easy. For one to be truly patient and grateful, they must embody these virtues even in the most difficult of times.

In his reminder, brother Hassan Shibly describes the different ways in which gratitude can be expressed, in both good times and bad.

“We’re grateful to Allah in good times by using his blessings to serve Him and serve His creation get closer to Him,” he said. “We’re grateful to Allah through hard times by being patient and by recognizing that you know what, it could be much worse, and trusting in His plan and having complete reliance on Him. That’s how believers get the love of Allah.”

We ask Allah to make us of those who are patient and grateful, both in the good times and the bad.