March 28, 2024

During tadarus today, we covered Juz 19 and part of 20. After we finished reciting I was going through the ayats and their meanings and for some reason couldn’t read past ayats 128-136 of Surah Ash-Shu’ara. In these ayats, Allah tells us about the people of ’Âd who rejected the messengers. In the ayats 26:128-136, Allah shows us a scene where the messenger (Hûd) sent to them is calling on them saying:

˹Why˺ do you build a landmark on every high place in vanity, [128] and construct castles, as if you are going to live forever, [129] and act so viciously when you attack ˹others˺? [130] So fear Allah, and obey me. [131] Fear the One Who has provided you with ˹the good˺ things you know: [132] He provided you with cattle, and children, [133] and gardens, and springs.[134] I truly fear for you the torment of a tremendous day.” [135] They responded, “It is all the same to us whether you warn ˹us˺ or not. [136]

Here the people of ’Âd are being asked why they transgress and disobey. Right after, they are reminded of all the good things and the blessings Allah had provided them and are being cautioned to be mindful of Allah. But their response is one of ingratitude and a refusal to heed the warning of the messenger. It had me thinking about the ways in which I may have also fallen into this behaviour of using the blessing that Allah blessed me with to do things that displease Him, may Allah forgive me for my shortcomings.

And when I reflected further on these ayats, I thought about blessings not just in the “big” manifestations of them but blessings even in terms of the seemingly “smaller” things. My body is a blessing from Allah, my eyes, my ears, my tongue and my limbs - these are all blessings Allah has bestowed upon me. How many times did I use these in ways that were not so pleasing to Allah? How often did I think of the fact that using the blessings Allah Bestowed upon me, in ways that please Him ﷻ, are a form of gratitude. Gratitude to Allah is not only shown in the heart or by the tongue but also in action.

I pray may Allah make me among those who show gratitude to Him not just in my heart, or by my tongue but through my actions. May Allah make me among those who use the blessings He bestowed upon to please Him. May Allah make me among those who earn His Ridha (Pleasure). Ya Allah, Ya Rabb, You are Al-Ghafur, Al-Shakur (All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative), Forgive me for the times when I used the blessing You bestowed on me to displease You. Ya Rabb make me among those who are grateful and appreciative of Your Favors. Allahumma Amin.

With Love, Ibtisam