Three blessings that inspire gratitude and kindness towards those in need
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Ubaydullah Ibn Mihsan Al-Khatmiy narrated from his father that the Messenger, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, said: “Whoever among you wakes up (in the morning) safe in his property, healthy in his body and has his daily nourishment, it is as if he has been granted the entire world”.
Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
This hadith shows that those blessed with safety in the lands, physical health, houses to live in and daily nourishment have indeed been blessed with a complete blessing. Therefore, it is obligatory to thank Allah constantly. This hadith shows that what suffices a person’s needs are a bounty and a blessing for which he must thank Allah, The Mighty and Majestic. A person may strive to gather a lot of wealth, but he is created to worship of Allah. If a person does this, he will achieve and attain success, but if not, he will fail and incur loss. Therefore, is there one who will receive admonition?!
This hadith shows that to be blessed with safety in one’s religion, honour, wealth and blood is valuable. [Footnote a] These are from those things whose fulfilment in a society will bring about a good life and security. But if security is not present, chaos will unravel in the society – the powerful people will overpower the weak and the oppressor will overpower the oppressed, thus there will be an evil circumstances and maybe evil consequences. Therefore, any society or land that has been bestowed a ruler among the Muslims and granted security in a region under his ruler-ship, it is obligatory to obey him and should be aided by the other lands as much as one is able. [Footnote b] And what is observed as a fact in relation to this is that whoever is blessed with enough food and drink, a dwelling place, means of transportation, security in his place of residence and good physical health, it is as if he has been given the entire world. Therefore, he should be thankful to Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, for that until he meets Allah. [1]
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Blessings are three types: an attained blessing that is known to the person, a blessing he is waiting for and hopes to attain, and a blessing he has, but unaware of it. If Allah wants to complete His favour on a person, He acquaints the person with a blessing that is present and blesses him with the ability to be thankful through which the blessing is retained, thus, it does not depart. This is because blessings depart through sin and they are retained through thankfulness (or gratitude). Then Allah blesses him with the deeds through which he secures the awaited blessings, help him to overcome obstacles in the path and guide him to avoid them. So, the blessings comes to him in the most complete way and Allah acquaints him with the blessings he possess, but was unaware of them. It has been reported that a bedouin said Harun Ar-Rashid: “O chief of the believers! May Allah secure the blessings in your possession due to your constant gratitude, fulfil the blessings you hope for due to your good thoughts about Allah and constantly being obedient to Him, and acquaint you with the blessings which you have, but unaware of them, as a result of which you do not thank Him for it”. Harun was amazed by this speech and said, “Excellent indeed is that which he has classified”. [2]
A Supplication Before Bedtime
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَكَفَانَا وَآوَانَا فَكَمْ مِمَّنْ لاَ كَافِيَ لَهُ وَلاَ مُئْوِيَ
All praise is due to Allah Who fed us, provided us drink, sufficed us and provided us with shelter, for how many people there is none to suffice and none to provide shelter. [Saheeh Muslim Number 2715]
In this supplication, there is a reminder for the Muslim before he goes to bed regarding the end of the day and the hours that have elapsed during which Allah provided him with food, drink and shelter, while there are a number of people who could not find food as a source of nourishment or drink to quench their thirst, or clothing to clothed themselves, or a dwelling place. Therefore, whoever Allah blesses with food and drink, sufficed him, it is obligated to him to acknowledge the blessings of Allah and consider it as something great indeed. This is because being grateful for the blessings Allah has bestowed on you is a means to retaining and increasing those blessings. Allah, The Most High, said:
[وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ -And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe]. [14:7] [3]
We ask Allah:
اللّهُـمَّ أَعِـنِّي عَلـى ذِكْـرِكَ وَشُكْـرِك ،
وَحُسْـنِ عِبـادَتِـك
O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner. [3] [Footnote c]
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Footnote a:
Footnote b:
Believer’s Bahaviour Towards Muslim Rulers – [Supplicates For Them….]
Footnote c:
[1] An Excerpt from “Awn Al-Ahad As-Samad Sharh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad”. 1/335
[2] An Excerpt from “Al-Fawaa’id”. page 250
[3] An Excerpt from Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah Wal-Ad’kar 3/79