And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared: If ye are grateful, I will add more unto you.
— Surah Ibrahim (Holy Qur’an, 14:5-7)
One of the most important aspects of the Islamic Meditation Program is the cultivation of gratitude in Islam, for not only is gratitude the heart and essence of Islam, it is also the key to attracting abundance, prosperity, peace and success.
The Prophet Muhammad (saws) continually reminded his followers to be ever grateful to their Lord, and the term shakir, meaning “one who is grateful,” is often used in Islam as a name of great honor among Muslims.
Furthermore, the Holy Qur’an time and again emphasizes that gratitude is essential to Islamic character, and that exercising gratitude in Islam is the means to greater abundance.
Gratitude in Islam: The Way of the Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet Muhammad (saws) would often spend long hours in prayer and meditation deep into the night. Once, his wife Aisha (as) asked him, “Messenger of God, surely any mistakes you may have made are forgiven, as are any you may make — why do you stand in prayer so much?” He simply smiled and replied, “Shall I not be a grateful servant?”
There are varying levels of understanding Islam and Islamic Spirituality, yet based on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (saws), gratitude in Islam is the most essential reason for Islamic practice and worship.
Gratitude in Islam: Rabia al-Adawiyya
The great Sufi saint, Rabia al-Adawiya, is best known for her total selflessness and absolute commitment to God. She is a brilliant example of gratitude in Islam, illustrated in one of her most famous poems in which she states that above all else, she worships the Almighty purely for the Grace and Beauty of His Divine Being.
O God! If I worship You in fear of Hellfire, burn me in it.
And if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from it.
Yet if I worship You purely for Your Being, do not withhold from me Your Eternal Beauty.
— Rabia al-Adawiya (ra)
As one progresses spiritually, they increasingly harmonize with the experience of gratitude in Islam, and as one draws nearer to the Divine Presence, he or she more and more realizes that real joy and happiness are had through expressing gratitude in Islam, for Islam is, fundamentally, simply an expression of gratitude.
Gratitude in Islam: The Natural Way
Having been created from and in the Divine Presence of God, we are naturally home there. The Divine Presence, the abode of peace, love and light, is what our souls seek, and in reality we have never left there.
Through practicing gratitude in Islam, you strip away the veils of separation, fear and need, and begin to realize that you have been given more than you know or could ever earn. At this point, there is nothing left to do but to say, “Thank You.”
The most joyous moments in Islamic practice and worship are the moments that are experienced with no fear or desire, but simply for the moment itself. This is the natural way, and it is attained through gratitude in Islam.
Gratitude in Islam: How to Attract Abundance
God has said, “I am to My servant as he thinks I am.”
— Prophet Muhammad (saws), Hadith Qudsi
In seeking to understand the place of the Law of Attraction in Islam, one must understand the importance of personal responsibility in Islam. Above perhaps all other paths, Islam emphasizes that it is personal responsibility and thus individual choice that determines an individual’s ultimate destination and experience. And the most essential dimension for which we must take responsibility is our thoughts and beliefs.
Einstein once said, “The most important question a person can ask is, ‘Is the Universe a friendly place?'”
The answer to this question is the answer to the question, “Is there a God?” For God is good, and if one truly believes with every cell and fiber of their being, their experience will naturally manifest this truth, abundance, peace and prosperity.
Islam teaches that God is bounteous, merciful, loving, providing and infinitely gracious. Should not the Muslim then live his or her life from a place of confidence, certainty and gratitude?
Yet the ego seeks to prove the contrary, that there is no God and that the Universe is a hostile, fearful and lonely place, for then and only then can it maintain its sense of separation and thus its existence. Therefore, actively and consciously practicing gratitude in Islam not only attracts abundance by affirming a paradigm of peace and prosperity, but it also overcomes the ego, which is dependent on anxiety and fear to persist.
This then is jihad an-nafs, overcoming the negative ego in Islam.
How to Practice Gratitude in Islam
Allah’s generosity is connected to gratitude, and gratitude is linked to increase in His generosity. The generosity of Allah will not stop increasing unless the gratitude of the servant ceases.
— Ali ibn Abu Talib (kw)
Actively and consciously practicing gratitude in Islam is the key to a life of abundance, prosperity, peace and joy. And no other path provides such ample opportunity to exercise gratitude.
In fact, the root meaning of the word kufr, which is normally translated as unbelief, originates from the word for “ingratitude.” So be happy and be grateful.
1. Be Grateful Morning and Evening
Practice taking a brief moment first thing in the morning when you wake and last thing at night when you sleep to simply say and experience, “Thank You.”
2. Be Grateful When You Pray
Islamic practices provide a minimum of five opportunities daily to take rest in the Divine Presence of God and to be grateful. Make it a practice to consciously take a moment to say “Thank You,” while feeling and experiencing gratitude after your prayers. In fact, the best way to ensure your prayers are answered is to be grateful!
3. Be Grateful When You Eat and Drink
By taking a little extra time to experience gratitude when you eat and drink, you become more present, and in Islam, eating is meant to be a spiritual experience. Gently and consciously say “Thank You” as you eat, and you will find the entire experience more joyful and healthy.
4. Give Charity
By consciously giving charity in Islam, you not only affirm that you are blessed, but you attract greater abundance to yourself as you strengthen your belief and trust in God, become less dependent upon dunya, the world, and so become rooted in a paradigm based in Providence.
Keep a small jar or box in your home and before leaving each morning, put a little money, even some loose change, as you say, “Thank You.” Breathe and trust in God. Know that you are held, cared for and carried.
5. Meditate Daily
Spend even just a few minutes to meditate each and every day, for meditation teaches you to be more present, particularly with your breath, with be-ing, and thus with God. Learn the art and science of Islamic Meditation, for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saws) said, “An hour of meditation is more valuable than seventy years of worship.”
As awareness and presence increases through a meditative spiritual practice, one’s sense of gratitude naturally develops and becomes a dominant trait of your character and perspective.
6. Practice Dhikr Daily
Tasbih, one of the forms of Islamic Meditation, is a powerful spiritual exercise to strengthen one’s mind and soul on Haq, Truth. Make it a daily practice so recite 100 times, “Ya Rabbi Shukr,” which means, “O My Lord, Thank You.”
Gratitude in Islam Will Heal Your Life
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude in Islam, be grateful always so that the words “Thank You” naturally and continuously flow from your lips and are felt in your heart, and your life will increasingly become a shining example of true Islam, a path to peace, prosperity and abundance.
Be grateful even for calamities and misfortunes, for nothing happens except to ultimately serve a divine purpose. And the fastest way to move beyond undesirable circumstances is to stop resisting them, to simply let them be, be grateful and thus surrender and accept what is, and so allow them to flow out of your life.
Gratitude for the abundance you have received is the best insurance that abundance will continue.
— Prophet Muhammad (saws)
To your divine and eternal success and happiness.
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simple, beautiful and powerful….. have been grateful on and off but never so consciously….. will try to implement this in my life from now on Inshallah
Nafisa, yes, do, and keep us in your prayers!
Absolutely powerful. But I cant maintain everyday. I will try my best Inshallah.
Absolutely true, needed to be reminded. I have personally experienced abundance coming into my life after consciously being grateful for almost everything. Before going to bed, i usually affirm 3 things i am grateful for today. Amazing miracles!!! Thanks for sharing all this information and reminding me of this beautiful gift of Gratitude.
Firhana, masha’llah, wonderful practice you have. Keep it up! It’s amazing how a little bit of effort goes a long way, as the Prophet (SAWS) related that Allah Almighty has said, “When a servant of Mine takes a step towards Me, I take ten towards him; when he comes to Me walking, I go to him running…”
To your success!
The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who does not thank people is unthankful to Allah.” [Abu Dawud]. So, Ihsan I would like to take this opportunity
to thank you very much for all your lessons. May Allah reward
you!
And thank you, Halima!
Thank you for sharing this important wisdom so beautifully put! From my teacher I have received the following dhikr of gratititude which I always try and do for a number of minutes in connection with every prayer: Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah wa schukrulillah wal hamdulillah x number of times. Is is always immemsely gratifying. My teacher received it from a “friend of God” in Morocco, who was blind, restricted to his small home, taken care by a relative. All day long this was his constant dhikr in gratitude, praise and thankfulness to our Creator. Alhamdulillah. With peace and joy, your brother on the path, Abdul Hadi
Much success to you, Abdul Hadi. May Allah Almighty continue to illuminate your path and keep you in the company of the saliheen.
Actually adopting the process of gratitude as a way of life will teach us discipline and brings us closer to God, and hopefully melt us within his heavenly kingdom.
Yes brother Ihsan, too many Quran verses and Hadeeths for the profit SAWS emphasize the importance of gratitude, when you thank God for everything, you basically emphasize his presence, and more important that he is the one who can, and no body else.
Thank you for your kind reminders, they are like a pure stream
Jamal, thank you for your comment. Indeed, gratitude is a wide-open doorway into the Divine Presence. To your success!
Shurkan for sharing!
Zena, blessings and light to you, you’re most welcome!
Jazakallah khair brother, inshallah I shall start the Tasbeeh of thankfulness from today.
May Allah swt reward you Both in this world and the Akhira for all your efforts and for sharing this with us.
Shabeela, may Allah Almighty reward you with eternal peace and joy in His Divine Presence. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!
Ya Rabbi Shukr, Ya Rabbi shukr. Thank you for this reminder,Ihsan.I also make it a practice of Alhamdulillah,Renewing Shahadah, every night before going to bed, -and then reciting three times,Ihklas, three times Surah Falaq and three times Suratun Nas. Idha and Fatiha.Followed by Ayatul kursi.Also the practice of Sayydina Ali(as) of forgiving if any one has harmed you in thought or action, and asking forgiveness for one’s own sins and saying Tawba ya Rabbi tawba, and Shukr Ya Rabbi shukr.To the best of one’s ability start the next day with a clean slate.
I do not thank Allah(swt) enough for the food that Him Almighty provides for us, even though i always think of those who do not have enough. Allah(swt) provided Sayyidah Maryam(as) with food from Heaven.
I am grateful for this program too.
If i have made any mistakes i ask forgiveness. May Allah(swt) Bless all with Infinite Abundance. Ameen…
Dear Fatima, thank you for sharing such a wonderful practice. God bless and protect you always!
JazakAllah Khair!
This is such a meaningful and well written piece; and something that all of us need to be reminded of. Thank you!
Shukran brother…your reminders help to ever be in His glorious presence
Thank you so much Ihsan for reminding us.Shukr Ya Rabbi
O God! If I worship You for fear of Hellfire, burn me in it.
And if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from it.
Yet if I worship You simply for You, do not withhold from me Your Eternal Beauty.
one of my Favorite verse..
So true and informative.
thankyou Ihsan for reminding.you are the best teacher ever jazakallah.
Thankyou Bro.Ihsan for this kind and valuable reminder….jazakallah Khair
Thank you so much Ihsan Bhai for adding more and more beautiful colors to our life…
Blessings and Light,
alhamdulilaah i was born in islam and i am, it’s great chance from allaah sw, and i have to say a huge thank you all of my muslim bro and sis especially my sheikh ihsan,
MASHA’ ALLAH BROTHERS! MAY ALLAH GRANT U PEACE HERE AND THE HEREAFTER!
JAZAK ALLAH BROTHER!THROUGH THIS PRECIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF WISDOM I FIND MYSELF CALM AND MORE CLOSE TO GOD. GOD BLESS YOU!
JAZAK ALLAH BROTHER!
Thank you brother. Jazak Allah
Assalamualykum Brother Ihsan,
I awaken most mornings for my Tahajud salaah and when I make intentions for the salaah, this is wht I say “Yah Allah I am makin four rakaats of Tahajud with the intention of Salaatul Shukran, Salaatul Towbah and to ask Allah to mke all my duas qubool, so if this could be an inspiration to all my Muslim brothers and sisters across the globe I say Alhumdulilaah. Also a dua that I mke religiously afte my Esha Salaat is to ask Allah(SWT) to allow me to awaken for my Tahajud. Just thought I would share this with all.
Thank you Sister Soraya, I wake up for Tahajud almost every day and I will put your advice in practice, May Allah swt always bless you. Ameen
thank u ihsan. ALLAH is with you. I can smell the hunger in you to help people towards ALLAH. The world cant contain your blessings.
Alhamdulillah! This is needed. Shuqan, may Allah bless you with endlessly!
Thank you Ihsan .May Allah guides us all
I really admire you Ihsan for being grateful. In calamities and misfortunes is when the soul is tested, pain purify our souls, build our character so we can be stronger, but even so, it is very difficult for me to have gratitud in my heart, am I ingrate? yes I am, I am honest, because I had so much pain & rejection all my life since I can remember, that my pain led me to believe throught my entire life that , there is no heaven or paradise nor Hellfire, but I want to make myself believe and I do thanks God, that there are people like you who take the time to write, so our conscious could be open and that maybe…… maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel
Dear Brother Ihsan,
Alhamdulillah, Thank you for reminding us, please keep me in your prayers and keep us posted with the latest meditation programe.
Jazakallah khair,
Sister Kaneez
Ya Rabbi Shukr, for brothers Ihsan and Daud. Most Appreciative for the reminder to be Grateful for everything. May Allah continue to Bless you both and your families. Ameen.
Thanks for the links you have sent to me recently, I really would like to meet you in person one day, I think your communication skills are second to none and I’m greatful for all of the things you have learned and shared with the world, peace and love always
Assalamu Alikum Ihasn,
I want to learn islamic meditation. Can’t I learn it from this site without buying the package you offered? Not even the basic Meditations? I have already watched the free videos, but they don’t give any idea in how to start meditation?
Please answer me.
Assalamu Alaikum.
Dear brother Ihsan,
I’m Maylanie from Philippines. I am very thankful to Allah (swt) tht u turned out an instrument for this kind of Islamic meditation which beseechingly resonates my heart. How do we avail of your islamic meditation program? and do u conduct islamic meditation? hope u could personally teach us…
As-Salaam-Alaikum. I didn’t recieve the first video in the attracting abudance series. May I get it. Thank you.
This is a very inspirational post. Since reading about the Law of Attraction I realized that in Islam we always knew about it except that it had never been directly addressed. I thank God I found this considering that i was looking for ways of connecting the two together. May God bless you and reward you for your efforts.
Assalamu Alikum Sir
I want to study Islamic psychology , can you help me
MashaALLAH,great,Thankyou,May ALLAH S.W.T increase your wisdom and increase your status in this duniya and hereafter.Thankyou.. I am grateful to you also,Shukrun ya Rabbi Zuljalal
I pay gratitude by thinking about the thinks i truly enjoyed and really feeling what joy i felt and then i Say Thanks to Allah for that joy i felt and really feeling grateful. There can be many things in life which you should be thankful but you just do not feel or you just take for granted.So I started by saying thanks for the things I was aware of enjoying. I has really worked Saying thanks and really feeling the gratitude really works.feeling is the key my friends but words do bring in feelings too. Gratitude is the key for happiness and abundance and I am so happy and grateful that Allah made me to pay gratitude.
Esslam Oualikum
I tried to find something useful about the law of attraction, but unfortunately, Almost muslim writer start by Haram, for me this is a weakness
finally i read your article and absolutely useful and meaningful hamdelillah
Jazakum Allah Kheiren, and i will do my best to practice your advices inshallah
Salam
Aslam Alaikum,
Though not a registered member of any of your programme, your random email on different occasions fill me with joy and peace. JAZAK ALLAH KHAIRAN. your each words are healing to a painful heart and draw him closer to Allah.
Today I take this opportunity to thank you for your stupendous work and my prayers for you that May Allah Grant You Eternal Peace.
AN AMAZING ARTICLE …
You have shared a secrete towards bliss in this world and abundance in the world hereafter.The gift of gratitude.As I write this I pray that human lethargy does not get the better of me and Allah gives me the imanic stamina to show gratitude every second my lungs breathe my heart pumps my stomach churns my intestines seperate the good form the waste my liver and kidneys filter blood nourishment my pancreas supply adequate insulin to remove excess sugars so Allah given energy can be absorbed by every cell In my body and that my brains limbs all finction the way Allah meant for it to function
oh god if i worship you in fear of hell fire ,burn me in it
and if i worship you in hope of paradise then exclude me from it
Yet if i worship you purely for your being ,do not withhold from me your eternal beauty..
thank you for sharing this beautiful message.
May ALLAH shower you with his divine light always.
salaam
Wonderfully written. Our faith is the faith of gratitude and positive attitude, we just have remember that and make a habit of it.
Ameen, Mohammad, may our hearts be continually inspired with remembrance and gratitude. To your blessed success in both this life and the next.
Beautiful! Thank you ihsan
God bless, Fatima, in Allah Almighty’s love and light.
Friend,
Ur awsome.. THis is what i had been searching for.. To connect law of attraction and islam.
Gold bless u 🙂
Thank you, Usman, may Allah Almighty continually bless and guide your footsteps. To you divine and eternal success.
Salaam Bro Ihsan: Your name says it all — you have expressed beautifully the value of gratitude in our lives as muslims. With gratitude comes humility and contentment, love for and kindness to others. I enjoy gardening and see in it every opportunity to be grateful every stage of the process — tilling the soil, planting, growing, fruiting, reaping and consuming –I thank Him for the opportunity and the ensuing harvest and the meals that I can prepare and share.
I would like to say what you said so well in a different way — In saying thanks, Allah provides a better situation for one to be even more thankful — and this continues — and in your words , provide for the abundance that happens in one’s life..
Thank you again Bro Ihsan for a great article which I have started to share among my friends and family. —
Masha’llah, Mohamed, in your gratitude and presence, even the simplest tasks and actions become ‘ibadah. And this was the blessed way of the holy Prophet Muhammad (saws), to be continually in dhikr, awareness, remembrance and presence.
May Allah Almighty continue to bless you with light, guidance, wisdom and inspiration, and continue to increase the love for His Divine Presence in your heart and soul.
To your divine, eternal and blessed success.
Salaam. MashaAllah, what Pearls of Wisdom. What a beautiful piece of work. It has been such a joy to read this article. It is also the first time that I read an article that connects “attraction, abundance, in an Islamic perspective. It is so important to keep the balance and here its done in such a beautiful fashion which is beneficial for us in both worlds. Our Deen is so Universal and Beautiful and Algamdullilah, may Allah bless and guide you, to continue to spread your talent and knowledge in such a wonderful way for anyone to, digest and understand! Shukran sooo much!!!
Mariam
Masha’llah, Allah Almighty bless you sister Mariam, and may you continue to grow into a brighter light and source of strength for those near you, and for our Community. To your divine and eternal success.
I so much love this article. It connects the law of attraction and Islam ways of doing it, especially the gratitude part of it. Jaza kumullahi khairan for this benefiting article.
Salaam. I find you so inspiring. I wanted to know more about your tariqah please. If i could possibly personally email you? JazakAllah khayr
Walaykum salaam wa rahmatullahi ta’ala wa barakatuh, Alia. Yes, you may email me at ihsan@islamicrenaissance.com. May Allah Almighty guide your heart and your steps. To your divine and eternal success.
With all due respect why should I be grateful to experience a misfortune (even if I’m not becoming upset at Allah) and not resist the misfortune? Let’s face it that no one in their right mind likes to experience a misfortune.
JazakAllahkheir a million and infinity times over! Thank you! Alhumdulilah
Wa iyyakum, thank you and eternal blessings upon you as well!
Many many thanks brother for your wonderful great article. What a beautiful article you placed. May almighty Allah always guide you in right path . As a muslim every one should estekamat in siratal mustakim. Jazakallahu khairan.
Gratitude in Islam
Ameen, Enamul Hoque, may Allah Almighty keep us upon the straight path of guidance and light that leads to His divine pleasure. To your eternal success.
Thanks alot sir…it is marvellous
Brother Ihsan thank you very much for such great insight into gratitude and its practice. I am wondering if you will shed light on how those who have already been practicing gratitude and need to go further in their practice, overcoming negative traits and habits . Gratitude brings abundance and abundance may further bring its associated challenges with it sometimes, such as lethargy, pride, and other such phenomenon.
I was reading through an article that briefly talks about this aspect > https://www.pakrush.com/2019/07/gratitude-pitfalls-continued-success-happiness.html
but I want you to give your advice on this particular topic of how to deal with success/abundance and ease (that gratitude impact brings). Or precisely, how to carry on gratitude without going back to old thinking pattern.
Jazakallah.
Maaa shaaa Allah,this is so beautiful. I can’t believe since 2011 until now today 2021 that someone is still benefiting from such information.. May Allah increase you in knowledge. My brothers and sisters let’s do more of such work because this is one such of a kind that if you die it remains behind and u still benefit from.. Barakallahu fiikum 💐💐