50/ The True Nature of Gratitude and Its Status among the Righteous Predecessors

The preceding discussion concerned the virtue of gratitude, its exalted standing with Allah, and the variety of its meanings in the Noble Quran. Here we shall discuss the basis and true nature of gratitude and indicate its status among the righteous predecessors—may Allah have mercy on them.

The basis and true nature of gratitude is to acknowledge the favor of the Bestower with submission, humility, and love for Him. “Whoever does not recognize a blessing but remains unaware of it has not shown gratitude for it. Whoever recognizes the blessing but does not recognize its Bestower has likewise not shown gratitude for it. Whoever recognizes both the blessing and its Bestower but denies it—as one may deny a benefactor’s favor to him—has been ungrateful for it. Whoever recognizes both the blessing and its Bestower, acknowledges it without denying it, yet does not submit to Him, love Him, and remain pleased with Him and with all that comes from Him, has likewise not shown gratitude for it. But whoever recognizes the blessing and its Bestower, submits to Him, loves Him, is pleased with Him and with all that comes from Him, and uses the blessing in ways He loves and in obedience to Him—such is the one who is grateful for it.”1

It thus becomes clear that gratitude rests upon five foundations: submission to the One being thanked, love for Him, acknowledgment of His blessing, praise of Him for it, and refraining from using it in any way He dislikes. These five are the foundation of gratitude, and its structure is built upon them. Whenever one of them is absent, one of gratitude’s foundations is impaired. Everything said about gratitude and its definition ultimately returns to these five and revolves around them.2 Gratitude is expressed through the heart and the tongue