Allah’s blessings grow through gratitude
“Whatever blessing you have, you can utilize that blessing in the khidmah of Allah's deen, in the khidmah of Allah's creation, helping other people.”
Allah’s blessings are preserved and increased through gratitude, consistent worship, and serving others, while ingratitude, heedlessness, and arrogance can cause their loss; when blessings are tested or removed, the believer’s response determines whether it is punishment or a test leading to greater good.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- The Qur’an repeatedly commands people, prophets, and believers to remember and recognize Allah’s blessings.
- Allah’s general rule is that blessings change when people change inwardly.
- Three ways to maintain blessings are shukr, worship during ease, and using blessings to serve others.
- Speaking about blessings is permissible when they are attributed to Allah rather than used for boasting.
- Three dangers are ingratitude, heedlessness, and arrogance caused by attributing blessings to oneself.
- The stories of Saba and a prosperous city illustrate blessings lost through ungratefulness and turning away.
- A calamity may be punishment or a test, and the distinction is shown by the believer’s response.
In the khateeb's words
“Whatever blessing you have, you can utilize that blessing in the khidmah of Allah's deen, in the khidmah of Allah's creation, helping other people.”
“There's no guilt associated with enjoying Allah's blessings.”
“The answer is not in the test. It is in your response to the test.”
For the dinner table
Allah has given us more blessings than we can count, including our family, health, time, and faith. The khateeb explained that gratitude begins in our hearts, is expressed by thanking Allah, and becomes visible in how we act. We can nurture gratitude by worshipping Allah when life is good and using our blessings to help others. We can enjoy Allah’s gifts while remembering their source and avoiding ingratitude, carelessness, and arrogance. When difficulties come, we should remember that they are not always punishments: the khateeb used Ayub’s story to show how trials can lead to greater blessings. Through both ease and hardship, we can turn to Allah with patience, dua, and hope.
- What is one blessing you used today that you usually forget to notice?
- How could you use your time or a talent to help someone this week?
- What could help you remember to thank Allah on a really good day?
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