and you hope from Allah what they can never hope for” (An-Nisaʾ 4:104).
As for His guidance concerning the favors He grants a servant—namely, that the servant should contemplate the opposite of those favors so as to grasp their worth and increase his gratitude to Allah—the Qur’an contains many examples. Allah reminds His servants of His grace upon them through the religion of Islam and all the blessings that flow from it, as in His words:
“Allah has indeed bestowed a great favor upon the believers when He raised up among them a messenger from themselves, who recites to them His verses, purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom, whereas before that they had been in manifest error” (Al ʿImran 3:164).
And again, in the same surah:
“Remember Allah’s favor upon you: you were enemies and He joined your hearts together, so by His favor you became brothers. You were on the brink of a pit of fire and He delivered you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His signs, so that you may be guided” (Al ʿImran 3:103)—that is, guided to greater gratitude for His blessings.
Likewise, He says in Surah Al Anfal:
“Remember when you were few, deemed weak in the land, fearing that people might snatch you away; then He sheltered you, supported you with His help, and provided you with good things, so that you might be thankful” (Al Anfal 8:26).
And in Surah Al Qasas:
“Say, ‘Have you considered: if Allah were to make the day perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection…’” (Al Qasas 28:72), and so on to the end of the verses—where He directs them to reflect on the reverse of the blessings and prosperity they enjoy, so that they may recognize their true value.
This is exactly what the Prophet ﷺ taught when he said, “Look to those who are below you and do not look to those who are above you, for that is more likely to keep you from scorning the blessing of Allah upon you.” (1)
The Exalted also says, “So remember Allah’s bounties, that you may prosper” (Al Aʿraf 7:69); and: “Did He not find you an orphan and give you refuge? And He found you lost, and guided you; and He found you in need, and enriched you” (Ad-Duha 93:6-8), and the rest of the surah.