we eat; yet had Allah, Exalted is He, so willed, we would never have been able to obtain them—either because of some incapacity on our part or because the very blessings themselves would have been withheld. Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Have you considered what you sow? Is it you who make it grow, or are We the Grower? If We so willed, We could turn it into chaff, and you would be left lamenting, ‘We are burdened with debt—indeed, we have been deprived!’ Have you considered the water that you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or are We the One who sends it? If We so willed, We could make it bitter; so why are you not grateful? Have you considered the fire you kindle? Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the Producer? We have made it a reminder and a provision for wayfarers.” (Q 56:63–73)

The point, then, is that we must show gratitude for Allah’s favor, and that gratitude should match the nature of the blessing itself. Therefore, expend of your knowledge and your wealth in proportion to what Allah has granted you. If He has given you good health and energy, and your brothers are in need of help and assistance, part of thanking that blessing is to aid them. Allah alone grants success.

Allah, the Exalted, says, “So remember Me; I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful” (Q 2:152). He also says, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you” (Q 14:7); and, “Say, ‘Praise belongs to Allah’” (Q 27:59); and, “And the close of their prayer will be, ‘Praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all beings’” (Q 10:10).

The author, al-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, states in his book Riyad al-Salihin, in the chapter “Praising Allah and Giving Thanks.” We have already spoken about this topic, but we have not yet addressed the first verse he cites, namely Allah’s words: “So remember Me; I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful.”