One night while performing prayer, Prophet Muhammad (saw) cried so much that the tears running down his beard reached his chest and fell off to the ground. Seeing this, Aisha (ra) was surprised and asked him, "O Messenger of Allah! Allah the Almighty forgave your past and future sins. Why do you still cry?" Thereupon replied the Prophet Muhammad, "Should I not be a servant of Allah who shows gratitude to Him?"[1]
Dear Believers!
The sense of gratitude behind Prophet Muhammad's tears means to know the value of favor done and reciprocate a favor with another favor. Gratitude embedded in the meaning of prayer means to comprehend that the true owner of all blessings, material or spiritual, is Allah the Almighty. Gratitude constantly expressed in a servant's words means to admit being indebted for the blessings by obeying Allah from deep in heart and staying away from committing sins.
Dear Muslims!
Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Qur'an as follows: "So remember Me and I shall remember you; give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful to Me for My favors!"[2]
Allah is al-Wahhab, al-Razzaq, al-Malik, and al-Karim. Every human being, whether young or old, rich or poor, strong or weak, sustain their lives only through the means and offerings bestowed by Allah (swt). It is an indispensable requirement of being a believing servant of Allah to be aware of this fact, to know its value, and to express gratitude to the Owner of Blessings.
A Muslim feels, expresses, and demonstrates his gratitude to Allah thoroughly. They are thankful in heart, and know that they are indebted to Allah by always feeling Him in their hearts. They express their gratitude in words by always praising Allah. They demonstrate their gratitude physically by using their hands, tongues, eyes, and ears in good and keeping them clear off any kind of evil.
They know that the gratitude for mind is expressed through having faith and producing beneficial knowledge; gratitude for knowledge through teaching and implementing what is known; gratitude for wealth through sharing it with those in need; and for health through making all the efforts to become a benevolent human.
Dear Believers!
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) says, "Those who do not thank people do not show gratitude to Allah."[3] Then, a Muslim never underrates a favor done to them, nor do they show ungratefulness or arrogance. They get happy by giving thanks to all people who have done a favor for them, including primarily their parents, their spouses, and their children.
Dear Muslims!
Allah is al-Shakur, Who rewards any beneficial work done. He (swt) loves the servants who are not desirous and greedy but on the contrary are contented and satisfied with the available blessings. I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with a verse expressing this truth: "Also call to mind when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks, I will certainly grant you more; but if you are ungrateful for My favours, My chastisement is terrible."[4]
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[1] Ibn Hibban, Sahih, II; Bukhari, Tahajjud, 6; Muslim, Sifat al-Munafiqin, 79.
[2] Baqarah, 2/152.
[3] Tirmidhi, Birr, 35.
[4] Ibrahim, 14/7.
General Directorate of Religious Services