Grateful Servant

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) is reported to have stayed up in prayer all night until his feet swelled up. He was asked, “Why do you do this when Allah has already forgiven you all your past and future wrong actions?” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Should I not still be a grateful servant?” [Al-Bukhari; Kitab at-Tahajjud]

If your friend gave you a beautiful sweater as a gift should you feel grateful to her in your heart? And if you feel grateful to her in your heart, shouldn’t you also use your tongue to show your appreciation of her favour? Gratitude doesn’t end here: Shouldn’t you then wear it on appropriate occasions? How would your friend feel if she saw you mopping the floor with her gift?

True gratitude involves the heart, tongue and limbs. That is why the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) would stand up long during the night in prayer – to show with his limbs that he was grateful to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for his blessings on him.