This Thanksgiving Be Grateful

“It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections – that you may give thanks.”

Life in the United States is by far superior to most places in the world.  This is primarily because of the freedoms we enjoy here that most other places in the world are not aware of; and for this we should give thanks.  We should be thankful to live in a country that opens its doors to other cultures, ethnic groups, and religious persuasions and allows them to live and practice as they see fit – as long as the spirit of the law is adhered to.

This Thanksgiving season that is approaching gives us an excellent opportunity to show our gratitude to God for everything He has bestowed on us.  There have been so many extraordinary acts of kindness heaped on Muslims, Jews, Christians and other people of faith, who know and understand that good people abound in other faiths as they do in the faith they ascribe to.  So we should be proud and hold our heads high and thank God for His Beneficence to those who believe in Him

We had nothing, before God, in His infinite Mercy, gave us life from the womb.  But He didn’t stop there.  He didn’t just create man and leave him be.  He created man and gave him guidance, intelligence, and put love in his heart – so that man can be grateful and express that gratitude in the best manner – which is utilizing those gifts for His service.

There are also atrocities happening in the world that we might tend to look at in a negative way.  Some might wonder how to look for ways to be grateful in the wake of such chaos?   But the truth is Almighty God makes a way for the believers to gain something positive out of everything He sends to us or allows to happen to us.  And for this we should be grateful.

We must be enthusiastic, bold, and straightforward in presenting our religion in the best light.  Above all, we must not cringe and hide our identity for fear of being looked at unfavorably.  The true religion and Islamic character will bring people to you faster than you can imagine.  The Prophet (s) was the best example of all humanity and just to act like him puts you in an imitation of his position – and other faiths realize it.  And for this we should be grateful.

The Prophet (s) treated everyone with respect.  We should do the same.  Whether you realize it or not, people admire Muslims for not taking intoxicants or unclean food – even though they might partake of these substances themselves.  It is not necessary to shout our way of life to everyone we meet, but we should be enthusiastic in living these virtues.  People will notice.  And for this we should be grateful.

We must be enthusiastic in keeping our faith in God.  Be thankful for everything.  God–ALLAH will bless us immensely for recognizing His gifts and then being thankful for them.  It is said of gratitude, “as for those who only pay lip-service to gratitude, and do not give thanks with the rest of their faculties, they are like a man who has a garment and all he does with it is touch it, but he does not put it on: it will never protect him from heat, cold, snow, or rain.  Let us wear our “garment”.

And in the Holy Qur’an He says, “If you be grateful, I will give you more.”

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