Every person is in need of Allah at every instant of life. From the air one breathes to the food he eats, from the ability to use one’s hands to the faculty of speech, from being sheltered to being in a joyful spirit, one lives completely in need of what Allah creates and grants him. Still, a vast majority of people do not perceive their weaknesses and that they are in need of Allah. They suppose that things develop spontaneously or that they acquire everything by their own efforts. This is an important error, as well as a serious ingratitude towards Allah.
Ironically, people who render their thanks to a person for even an insignificant gift, spend all their lives ignoring the countless blessings that Allah gives them all through their lives. However, so great are the blessings granted to a person that one could never count them. Allah relates this fact in a verse as follows:
If you tried to number Allah’s blessings, you could never count them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nahl: 18)
Despite this fact, most people fail to give thanks for any of the blessings they have. The reason for this is related in the Quran: Satan, who pledged to misguide people from Allah’s way, said that his ultimate aim is to make people be ungrateful to Allah.
Believers, on the other hand, aware of their weaknesses and in humility before Allah, render their thanks to Him for every blessing granted. Wealth and possessions are not the only blessings for which believers render their thanks to Allah. Knowing that Allah is the Owner and Possessor of everything, believers express their inner gratefulness for good health, beauty, knowledge, wisdom, love of faith and hatred from disbelief, understanding, insight, foresight and for power. They are thankful for being rightly guided and for being in the company of believers.
A beautiful landscape, easy handling of their affairs, fulfilment of their wishes, tidings of great joy, respectful conduct or any other blessings make believers immediately turn to Allah, express their gratefulness to Him and reflect on His mercy and compassion.
In return for good morals displayed, a reward awaits believers. This is another of the secrets revealed in the Quran; Allah increases His blessings on those who are grateful. Allah relates this secret in the Quran as follows:
And when your Lord announced: “If you are grateful, I will certainly give you increase, but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is severe.” (Surah Ibrahim: 7)
Being grateful is also a sign of one’s closeness to and love of Allah. People who give thanks have the insight and capability to perceive the beauties and blessings that Allah creates. Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, also referred to this when he said, “When Allah gives you property, the bliss of Allah’s blessing and offering must be reflected on you.”
On the other hand, a disbelieving or ungrateful person will only see the imperfections and faults even in the most beautiful environment, and thus will be unhappy and discontented. Indeed, as a divine purpose in Allah’s creation, such people, always come across with seemingly unfavourable events and unpleasant scenes. On the other hand, Allah displays more of His bounties and blessings to those who have a sincere and insightful outlook.
Adnan Oktar's piece on The Gulf Today:
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/be532def-8eb5-4659-9dda-a75c50b22a9b.aspx
