GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 1, 2026.
Four steps help believers thank Allah
MCC San Diego · Mustafa Samiraie
In one sentence
A believer reaches the state of shukr (gratitude) through a four-step practical plan, recognizing Allah's blessings, contentment (rida), constantly mentioning those blessings, and growing in love of Allah, thereby defeating shaytan's mission to make most people ungrateful.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Opening thanks to Allah for Islam, Quran, and Iman; a friend's question: how do we reach the state of shukr?
- Quran frames gratitude (shukr) as the opposite of kufr (Surah al-Baqarah); shaytan vowed most humans would be ungrateful (Surah al-A'raf)
- Step 1: recognize and remember Allah's blessings (Surah Fatir; every blessing is from Allah; the thought experiment of trading Islam for a place on the richest-people list)
- Step 2: contentment (maqam al-rida), hadith on tasting the flavor of faith and being content as the true wealth
- Step 3: verbally mention Allah's blessings over and over (say Alhamdulillah, remind family) and use blessings in Allah's cause, unlike Qarun (Surah al-Qasas); grammar reflection on 'shukra' (Surah Saba)
- Step 4: love of Allah makes worship easy, Quran, dhikr, and prayer become a delight
- Second part: gratitude owed to parents (Surah Luqman), personal story of his father's death, dua of Sulayman, closing duas
Try this week
Deliberately recognize and enumerate Allah's blessings, starting with Islam, Quran, Iman, and health
Cultivate contentment (rida) instead of complaining, remembering Allah has given more than we deserve
Say Alhamdulillah regularly and verbally remind yourself, your family, and your brothers of Allah's blessings
Use your blessings in Allah's cause and do good as Allah has done good to you, without spreading corruption
Be grateful to your parents while they are alive; if they have passed away, make dua for them
Recite the dua of Sulayman asking to be inspired to gratitude for favors on oneself and one's parents
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:152'Remember Me, I will remember you; be grateful to Me', establishes shukr as the opposite of kufr/ungratefulness
Quran 7:16-17Shaytan's vow to attack from every side: 'you will not find most of them grateful', gratitude is the battlefield
Quran 35:3-6'O mankind, remember the blessings of Allah upon you... is there any creator other than Allah who provides you?', step one, recognizing blessings; also shaytan as open enemy
Quran 16:53'Every blessing you have is from Allah', all favors trace back to Him
Sahih Muslim'He has tasted the flavor of faith who is content with Allah as Lord, Islam as religion, and Muhammad as messenger', supports step two, contentment
Jami` at-Tirmidhi'Be content with what Allah has allotted you and you will be the richest of people', contentment as true wealth
Quran 28:76-77Qarun was advised to seek the Hereafter without forgetting his share of this world and to do good as Allah did good to him, the 'Quranic formula' for using blessings; his arrogance is the counter-example
Quran 34:13'Work, O family of Dawud, in gratitude (shukra)', extended Arabic-grammar reflection on the word 'shukra' carrying multiple intentional meanings
Quran 31:14'Be grateful to Me and to your parents', gratitude to parents as a commanded form of shukr
Quran 33:56Standard closing of the khutbah: salawat on the Prophet and the command of justice and ihsan
Quran 16:90Standard closing of the khutbah: salawat on the Prophet and the command of justice and ihsan
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“subhanallah one of dhilik that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also commanded us to be grateful to or for our parents”
“so the message the lesson for all of us since you have your parents you have this opportunity for free”
“oh my lord inspire me to be grateful for your favors which is you have blessed me and my parents and to do”
“servants we ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala rabbul izzah to make us among the shakirin among the sabirin”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today the khateeb, Shaykh Mustafa Samiraie, spoke about how to reach the station of gratitude, or shukur. He reminded us that every blessing we have, Islam, the Quran, our health, and even our parents, comes from Allah alone, while Shaytan constantly tries to make us forget. He offered a simple four-step plan: notice Allah's blessings, be content with what we have, speak about those blessings with Alhamdulillah, and let that gratitude grow into love for Allah. He also shared a touching personal story about his father, reminding us that time with our parents is a free gift we should not waste. The khutbah ended with a dua that Allah makes us among the grateful, the patient, and those who do good. It was a call to count our blessings before we miss them.
- What is one small thing Allah gave you today that you can say Alhamdulillah for?
- What is one kind thing you can do for your parents before the day ends?
- When you feel like complaining, what blessing could you think of instead?
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