and rejoicing in it is something Allah loves and is pleased with, though He does not love those who exult boastfully. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “Say: In Allah’s grace and mercy—let them rejoice in that. It is better than what they amass.” 1.

Giving thanks to Allah for all His blessings—both absolute and restricted—is obligatory upon every Muslim and incumbent upon every believer. It is the means by which blessings are preserved, sustained, and increased, just as failing to give thanks for a blessing causes it to vanish and fade away. It has been said: “Every expression of gratitude, however slight, is the price of every gift, however great.” Thus, when a person fails to give thanks, he exposes the blessing to loss. It has also been said: “Gratitude binds the blessings one possesses and captures those one lacks.” It has likewise been said: “Ingratitude for blessings brings ruin and causes them to flee.” They used to call gratitude “the preserver,” because it preserves existing blessings, and “the bringer,” because it brings blessings that are lacking 2. It has also been said: “When a blessing is met with gratitude, it settles; when met with ingratitude, it flees.”

We ask Allah to inspire us to give thanks for His blessings and to protect us from ingratitude toward them. Indeed, He is All-Hearing, Ever-Responsive.