he ﷺ would say, “Praise be to Allah in every circumstance.”

As for the formula that some people use today—“Praise be to Allah; none but He is to be praised for what is disliked”—it is mistaken and incorrect. When you say that, you are effectively announcing your displeasure with what He has decreed for you. Instead, follow the Prophet’s wording: “Praise be to Allah in every circumstance.” That is what is sound and that is the sunnah transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ.

Allah has praised Himself and commanded that He be praised. He, the Exalted, says: “Say, ‘Praise be to Allah, and peace be upon His servants whom He has chosen’” (Q 27:59). He therefore ordered us to praise Him, Mighty and Majestic, and even made our praising Him one of the pillars of the prayer, without which the prayer is invalid. al-Fātiḥah opens with the verse, “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” Were you to omit this verse from al-Fātiḥah, your prayer would not be valid. Praising Allah is thus obligatory upon every person.

The same holds true for gratitude for His favors. How many blessings has He lavished upon you: sound mind, bodily health, wealth, family, security—countless blessings. “If you were to count Allah’s blessings, you could never enumerate them” (Q 14:34). Suppose His only favor to you were this very breath: were He to withhold it, your life would cease, yet it leaves your lungs without cost or effort on your part. Look at those who are tried with labored breathing and how much exertion it takes them simply to inhale and exhale. Meanwhile, your breathing is continuous and unending—a blessing beyond measure. Intellect, children, wealth, faith—all are immense favors for which the Exalted, the Majestic, is surely entitled to thanks.

The scholars have said that gratitude is expressed by obeying the Bestower. True gratitude is to rise in obedience to the One who grants these favors, especially