Gratitude to Allah - Shukr
The recognition and thankfulness for Allah's blessings that multiplies divine favor.
Shukr (الشكر) is gratitude expressed through the heart, tongue, and limbs. The Quran promises: 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.' Shukr is paired with patience as the two wings of faith—one for times of ease, one for times of hardship. The Prophet (PBUH) was asked why he prayed so long at night when his past and future sins were forgiven; he replied, 'Should I not be a grateful servant?' True gratitude transforms perspective, revealing countless blessings previously unnoticed. The promise of increase for the grateful appears in Surah Ibrahim 14:7.
If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favor; but if you deny, indeed My punishment is severe.
Ibn Qayyim wrote that gratitude has three pillars: recognition of the blessing by the heart, verbal expression of thanks, and using the blessing in Allah's obedience.
Quran
Written about in
- What Islam says about gratitude
Recognition and thanks for what has been given, described as something that increases. The verse sets it against its opposite, so the choice is presented as a real one.