Day 10
Some of you may feel weary and tired during Ramadan, and that is normal because we are fasting, and yet continuing with life's many responsibilities from housework, child-rearing, school and work. But we hope these short but insightful Ramadan reminders will inspire you to persevere through times of difficulties during this Ramadan. InshaAllah.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "He is successful who has accepted Islam, who has been provided with sufficient for his wants and been made contented
by Allah with what He has given him."
"If you count God's blessings, you can never encompass them all.
Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative."
Quran 14:34
"Say, "Nothing befalls us, save what God has decreed for us. He is our Lord and Master. In God the believers shall trust."
Quran 9:51
The Importance of Showing Gratitude
When good things come over way, we are happy and content. We neglect to realize that the good in our lives come from God, and we neglect to show proper gratitude to God for it. We take for granted the many good things that God has given us - our family members, our friends, our health, and even our ability to see, hear, speak and reason! And yet we constantly yearn for more than what we have, and then get depressed or angry when what we desire is not forthcoming. Then we begin to question God - how dare us?!
Wanting more is human nature, and wanting more is not necessarily a sin. But it is important to be thankful for what we do already have. Why should God answer our prayers for more, when we do not show Him the proper gratitude for the things we already have?
True believers are aware that all good things that happen to them in life surely come from God alone. This message is quite clear in the Quran. Believers are also assured that no one other than God has any power to harm or benefit them, for nothing befalls them except what God has decreed.
Only those who are genuinely content with what they already have, will be the ones to attain true happiness in this life. After all, it has been said that true happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.
The Salaf and their Gratitude
Taken from 'Patience and Gratitude'
By Ibn Qayyim
