An Attitude of Gratitude

Javeed Akhter

If we reflect upon it for a minute there is lots we all have to be thankful for. Much of it we take for granted; our life, health, children, knowledge and so on.

Islam strives to make people lose this complacency and be aware of their good fortunes. In the Qur'anic chapter titled Rahaman the flamboyant recurring refrain “and which of thy Lord’s favors will you deny?” is a direct allusion to the human flaw of taking things for granted.

Though not unique, the teaching that one should be thankful in every circumstance and strive to attain an attitude of gratitude, is central to Islamic way of thinking.

Gratitude may be expressed in many ways, like charity, and Sadaqa but above all by good deeds; by giving without expecting thanks in return.

A consequence of being thankful is optimism. It is an antidote to pessimism and depression.

Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the UC Davis has done interesting research on gratitude and its relation to happiness. Some of his findings were summarized in an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune recently. Those who kept gratitude journals and lists, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic than those who recorded hassles or neutral life events. They were more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal and health-based) over a two-month period compared with control groups. Young adult subjects self reported higher levels of positive states like enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy. They were more likely to have helped someone with a personal problem or having offered emotional support to another.

In summary Emmons' research shows that inculcating and practicing gratitude resulted in higher reported levels of optimism, alertness, energy, enthusiasm and determination.

Salat, the Muslim prayer, is a gratitude exercise performed many times a day; sajada, prostration, is the ultimate symbol of gratitude.

Different stages of gratitude are recognized: The first level is gratitude for the favors one has received I life. A higher state is attained when one is grateful even if a wish is unfulfilled. Here one sees the blessing veiled in difficulty.

The Qur’anic verses from Fajr (89.15, 16) allude to both of these states; it considers both good and bad fortune as equal trials.

As for man, whenever his Lord tries him by honoring him, and is gracious unto him, he says: My Lord honors me. (15)
But whenever He tries him by straitening his means of life, he says: My Lord despises me. (16)

People who realize good fortune is as much of a trial as is difficulty and those who remain thankful, even in the face of hardship, have achieved an uncommon level of spirituality. They have attained the much coveted inner peace, the nirvana, the serenity of soul, the tranquility of heart that we all desire. The challenge is to remain content, even in adversity.

As a wise man once noted “A heart filled with thankfulness has no room for self-pity or despair.”