GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 27, 2026.
Remember Allah to become grateful and forgiving
“Let your tongue always be moist with the remembrance of Allah, mighty and majestic.”
In one sentence
The twin pillars of faith are constant remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and gratitude to Him (shukr), and practicing them matures the soul until a person thinks well of Allah, attains His love, and can even forgive their worst oppressors.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Surah al-Baqarah 2:151, 152: the Messenger's mission and the owed response, remembrance and gratitude
- Iman defined by the scholars as shukr al-mun'im (gratitude to the Benefactor); the post-prayer du'a for dhikr and shukr
- Dhikr as the nourishment of the soul: hadith of the mufarridun (Sahih Muslim), the bedouin's 'moist tongue' hadith, and Hakim al-Tirmidhi's light-and-mercy imagery
- Fruit of dhikr: Allah remembers you, grants relief from unexpected avenues, and manifests according to His servant's good opinion (hadith qudsi; Ibn Mas'ud's oath in Tabarani)
- Surah Yusuf and the conquest of Makkah as paradigms of gratitude culminating in forgiveness
- Closing: the fruit of dhikr and shukr is mutual love with Allah, producing souls vast enough to forgive tyrants
Try this week
Make plentiful, perpetual remembrance of Allah throughout the day and night
Recite the prophetic du'a after each prayer: 'O Allah, help me remember You, thank You, and worship You beautifully'
Keep the tongue moist with dhikr as a single sustainable practice rather than being overwhelmed by details
Cultivate gratitude by reflecting on blessings even amid hardship, following the prophets' example
Think well of Allah and maintain hope in His deliverance when facing circumstances beyond one's control
Grow the soul through dhikr and shukr until able to forgive those who have wronged you
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:151-152Core text: the Messenger recites, purifies, and teaches; the response owed is 'Remember Me and I will remember you; be grateful and do not be ungrateful'
Sahih Muslim'Sabaqal-mufarridun', those who outstrip everyone are the men and women who remember Allah abundantly
Quran 16:120-121Ibrahim described as 'shakiran li-an'umih', grateful even for few blessings
Quran 17:3Nuh described as 'an ever-grateful servant' (abdan shakura)
Sahih al-Bukhari'I am as My servant thinks of Me', the fruit of dhikr is thinking well of Allah, which He then exceeds
Surah 12Yusuf's lifelong gratitude through betrayal, slavery, and prison, culminating in power, reunion, and forgiveness of his brothers
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“iman is shukrul mun'im faith is an expression of gratitude to the benefactor”
“let your tongue always be moist with the remembrance of Allah mighty and majestic”
“there's never a light in the heart except that with that light there is mercy from Allah commensurate to the light”
“should I not be an ever grateful servant should I not be an ever grateful servant”
Keep listening
More on Gratitude
ICI · Irving, TX · Oct 24, 2026Thank Allah in ease and hardship“Even in moments of difficulty, when it feels like there's nothing going your way, there is always something to be grateful for.”
Either we're receiving a blessing, which calls for shukr, or we're going through a hardship, which calls for sabr.13:29Al-Ittehad · Vista, CA · Sep 19, 2026Gratitude and patience carry believers through life
Real gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well