Prayers of Gratitude to Allah
Many individuals ponder the appropriate ways to express gratitude to Allah (SWT) for His abundant blessings. This acknowledgment involves a sincere recognition in one’s heart that Allah is indeed the Bestower of these gifts, as well as articulating this acknowledgment verbally by praising Him for His countless favors. Among the various forms of expressing gratitude, prayers are significant. Below are several supplications that reflect thankfulness to Allah:
- All praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, for His rightfully deserved appreciation, His mercy granted in hopes, and for the blessings that grow through His grace.
- Glory be to You, O Lord. Your name is the best of names, and Your remembrance brings healing to ailments. Your love is a source of comfort for both soul and body, and Your favors are countless beyond measurement or understanding.
- Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, who has assigned a measure for everything, decreed a time for each measure, and recorded every timeline.
- Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, who has risen above all, dominated, granted forgiveness, concealed faults, achieved victory, and crafted creation.
- Praise be to Allah for every creation, praise be to Allah filling creation, praise be to Allah for everything in the heavens and the earth, praise be to Allah for all that His records have encompassed, and praise be to Allah for knowing and counting all things.
- O Allah, Your gratitude is a blessing worthy of acknowledgment; teach me how to express my gratitude. All thanks be to Allah as it is befitting to the majesty of Your face and the greatness of Your sovereignty.
- All praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, who created the pen and tablet, brought creation from nothing, and administered sustenance and lifespans according to His decree, while adorning the night with stars amidst darkness.
Commandments to be Grateful in the Quran
The Quran contains numerous verses that instruct believers to express gratitude. Among these are the following verses:
- (And for them therein are benefits and drinks. Will they not then be grateful?)
- (So that they may eat of its fruit and act with their own hands. Will they not then be grateful?)
- (O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is Him that you worship.)
- (So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.)
- (And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.)
- (Rather, to Allah alone you should devote yourselves and be among the grateful.)
- (O Moses, indeed I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My speech. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful.)
- (And We certainly gave Luqman wisdom and said, “Be grateful to Allah.” And whoever is grateful is grateful for the benefit of himself. And whoever denies [His favor] — then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.)
Prophetic Traditions on Gratitude
Numerous Hadith highlight the significance of being thankful to Allah for His blessings and the consequences of neglecting gratitude, particularly on the Day of Judgment. Here are a few notable reports:
- Al-Mughirah bin Shu’bah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) stood in prayer until his feet became swollen. When asked about this, he replied, ‘Should I not be a grateful servant?’
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will ask the servant: “Did I not honor you, elevate your status, grant you a wife, and make the horses and camels subservient to you? Did you not then think you would meet Me?” To which the servant will respond in denial, and Allah will say, “Then I will forget you as you forgot Me.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised: “Look to those who are less fortunate than you, but do not look to those who are above you. This will help you not to belittle Allah’s favors.”
- He also stated: “None of a servant’s feet will move from his place on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about his life: how he spent it, his knowledge: what he did with it, his wealth: where he earned it and how he spent it, and his body: how he used it.”
- Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned: “The first thing a servant will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment is, ‘Did I not give you good health and provide you with cold water to drink?'”