When Gratitude Is Hard

الشَّكُورُ

Ash-Shakūr — The Appreciative

وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَّزِدْ لَهُ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۗ

This it is which Allah announceth unto His bondmen who believe and do good works. Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee therefor, save lovingkindness among kinsfolk. And whoso scoreth a good deed We add unto its good for him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Responsive

Surah Ash-Shūrā (42:23)

Intention

Today, I will thank Allah for three things before I ask for anything.

Reflection

Ash-Shakūr is The Appreciative — the One who multiplies the reward of even the smallest good deed. A smile counts. A glass of water given to someone thirsty counts. The prayer you dragged yourself to when you were exhausted — Ash-Shakūr saw it all and multiplied it far beyond what you gave.

On this verse

We will increase it. Not just acknowledge it, not just record it — increase it. Ash-Shakūr gives back more than you put in.

Du'a

The first praise in the Quran. Every prayer begins here. Every day can begin here.

Hadith

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever says Subḥānallāhi wa biḥamdih one hundred times a day will have his sins forgiven, even if they were like the foam of the sea.”

— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6405