The Bounty Of Thankfulness Is “Greater” Than The Wordly Bounty Itself
Many humans receive numerous bounties from Allah سبحانه و تعالى, yet they do not recognise that these bounties come from Allah سبحانه و تعالى. They, obviously, then do not give thanks and gratitude to Allah سبحانه و تعالى for these bounties. They receive their worldly bounties and blessings but they are missing an aspect that is much more important.
There are other individuals who have been further blessed and guided by Allah سبحانه و تعالى. These are the ones who recognise that these bounties have come from Allah سبحانه و تعالى. In return, they give thanks to Allah سبحانه و تعالى. These people also receive their portion of worldly blessings from Allah سبحانه و تعالى. However, in addition, they have recieved this religious blessing from Allah سبحانه و تعالى: being guided to giving thanks and having gratitude toward Allah سبحانه و تعالى. This religious blessing is much more important than any worldly blessing. This will last them beyond this life and into the Hereafter.
In fact, every worldly blessing that is not accompanied with thanks to Allah سبحانه و تعالى is a calamity. If Allah سبحانه و تعالى blesses a person and guided him to thanking Allah سبحانه و تعالى for a bounty that he has received, that act of thankfulness is better than that worldly bounty and more beloved to Allah سبحانه و تعالى. Allah سبحانه و تعالى is pleased with the attribute of thankfulness and gratitude. And He bestows it as a special grace from Himself to whomsoever He wills. [Ibn Rajab رحمه الله: Jaami’ al-‘Uloom wal Hikam]
The result is that the person will realise that his act of thankfulness to Allah سبحانه و تعالى is yet another bounty that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has bestowed upon him. He, therefore, should strive once again to thank Allah سبحانه و تعالى for that bounty also. This continual realisation will make Allah سبحانه و تعالى more beloved in the heart of the human and will make him try to please and be grateful to Allah سبحانه و تعالى to the best of his ability. [Zarabozo: Commentary on the 40 Hadith of an-Nawawi رحمه الله]
Seifeddine-M
