Gratitude begins by recognizing Allah's blessings
“If you don't thank people you will not thank Allah.”
A Muslim's life alternates between gratitude and patience, and gratitude must be rooted in recognizing Allah's blessings, expressed through worship, and extended to parents and other people.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Encourages filling the first rows, then frames faith and life as shukr and sabr.
- Presents gratitude as a divine law that brings increase, while ingratitude leads to loss.
- Identifies existence, provision, and guidance as major blessings from Allah.
- Explains gratitude through the heart, tongue, and limbs, especially worship and daily remembrance.
- Applies gratitude to humility, parenting, parents, spouses, children, and community members.
- Concludes by urging focus on blessings amid problems, followed by prayers and announcements.
In the khateeb's words
“So your life, every minute, every moment, is between shukar and sabar, shukar and sabar, nothing else.”
“For the blessing of the existence, how you pay Him, how you thank Him, is to worship in Him.”
“If you don't thank people you will not thank Allah.”
“And the secret of happiness is to focus on what you have not what you don't have. The secret of misery is to focus on what you don't have and you forget what you have.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb reminded us that daily life calls for gratitude when we receive blessings and patience when we face difficulties. He encouraged us to notice even small gifts from Allah, including waking up to a new day, having food and water, and receiving guidance. Gratitude begins in our hearts, finds expression in saying Alhamdulillah, and becomes action through worship and doing good. He also reminded us to thank our parents and the people who care for us, including our spouses. As a family, we can practice noticing what we have and telling one another what we appreciate.
- What small blessing did you notice today that you might usually miss?
- Who helped you today, and what could you say to thank them?
- How could you turn gratitude into one helpful action tomorrow?
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