Real gratitude means using Allah's blessings
“Real shukar, doing shukar, is in using the blessings of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
True shukar is not merely verbal thanks or reactive charity, but actively using Allah's blessings to create lasting benefit while remaining humble before Him.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Reframes shukar from passive gratitude into active responsibility.
- Uses Dawud and Sulayman in Surah Sabah to illustrate productive use of power and resources.
- Applies the idea to ethical businesses, jobs, charity, and community influence.
- Distinguishes active gratitude from prosperity gospel and personal glorification.
- Uses Dhul-Qarnayn to defend long-term worldly effort despite life's temporary nature.
- Closes with a call to purposeful resource use, masjid support, and tahajjud.
In the khateeb's words
“Take all the resources that you have, make thin metal sheets, turn them into something, melt them into something, build, build, build.”
“The intellect, the abilities, the resources, the money that Allah has given us, to put them to 100% maximum use, to produce the maximum amount of benefit.”
“We work really hard, to build something, knowing fully well, it's temporary.”
“But real shukar, doing shukar, is in using the blessings, of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
For the dinner table
Today's khutbah taught that shukar, or gratitude, is more than saying Alhamdulillah after something good happens or giving at a fundraiser. True gratitude means using the blessings Allah gives us, our money, education, skills, information, and influence, to build things that benefit people and continue helping after we are gone. The examples of Dawud, Sulayman, and Dhul-Qarnayn showed that building and serving society can be part of worship. We should work hard and plan for the future while remembering that our achievements are temporary and only possible through Allah's mercy. Our family can give generously, support the masjid, and look for an ethical project or habit that turns our blessings into lasting good.
- What blessing has Allah given you that you could use to help someone else?
- What would it mean to build something that benefits people after you are gone?
- How can we balance planning for the future with remembering that life is temporary?
More on Gratitude
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Real gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well