Mohammad Elshinawy – No Gratitude Without God

			A few days ago as I was reciting Surah Al borouge.
		

			I stopped that the verses were in Allah azza wa jal says, co T levels have doomed are the people of
the trench and who are the people of the trench. These are a group of elites, tyrannical elites that
persecuted believers at some point in history.
		

			And the verses themselves clarify, as they proceed to say, and Nettie that into a booth. These
people who kindled this massive fire in that trench is Humala corrode and they were sitting all
around it themselves sitting there as if in a theater. We're home Isla Mallya for Aluna Ville,
meaning I shoot, as they witnessed firsthand sitting there watching as they brutally massacred the
believers in front of their own eyes unflinching. Allah continues to say, one man aka Moomin whom
Illa and Umino Billa. And they committed this act of genocide. For no other reason. They held
nothing against these believers, except their faith in Allah. But what I stopped that was the fact
		

			that Allah then added two of his names that of course, weren't random. He says that he they held
nothing against them, except they believed in Allah, Allah Aziz, the Almighty, Al Hamid, the always
Praiseworthy, the Forever praiseworthy. What do these two names have to do with this incident? Allah
azza wa jal is saying they did this to the believers, this gruesome massacre, but and they did this
because they believed in God but this god they believed in was not overcome was not conquered was It
was nothing against God's will. He was God Allah Aziz, he was the Almighty, meaning he was in full
control. He could have stopped it if he wanted to, but and he is also an Hamid the praiseworthy
		

			meaning he is even praiseworthy for the fact that he allowed it to happen subhanho wa taala.
		

			And that notion, it is useful to distinguish between Allah being Mahmoud being praised, because
people praise Allah more than they praise anyone else across civilizations across religions. That
phrase is always there. It's instinctive even it's in the human being to praise the Lord, right. But
there are times when people hiccup in their praise when people hesitate or forget to praise God,
like when things that are negative take place. So Allah's Name and Hamid, is that he is
praiseworthy, regardless of whether he's being praised or not, he's always praiseworthy.
		

			And the sunnah of our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam corresponds with that perfectly, he would
always say Alhamdulillah in good times. And in bad times, or in hard times, he used to say a
slightly different phrase that still involved in Hamdulillah, he would say Alhamdulillah he Allah
coolly had All Praise be to Allah in all circumstances, because that is the vantage point, that is
the paradigm of the believer. You see, the non believer has an obscure a blurry image of God, right?
They're not sure. Is God good or not? Is he always good or not? Is he acting with wisdom perfectly
or not? They have this like, God works in mysterious ways. And they don't mean that always in
		

			appreciation. They mean that in form of like doubt or skepticism, they say like they're wondering,
does is God looking out for me right now or not? Does he know does he care? Is he involved? Am I
fending for myself? Whereas the believer because of their certainty, because of the depth that is
the what I want to focus on here today, the depth, there's a difference in the depth of recognition
that a believer has about Allah azza wa jal, that allows them head and shoulders above everyone else
to actually be grateful. You know, I was reading for a non Muslim columnist recently, he was saying,
you know, we always talk about gratitude this and gratitude that and I get it. It's easy to be
		

			grateful to my grandma for making me a pie. She made me a pie, so I'm gonna be grateful to her. It's
pretty linear. He said, But who am I grateful for without God? To the events of life? Like most
events, I don't know who's behind them. Was it like a strike a fortune? Was it you know? Just I got
lucky. Am I supposed to be grateful and if so to who? Exactly? So that is the first point. There is
no gratitude without God. It's impossible. Meaning without having a deep understanding of God. Allah
says
		

			panna what's Allah? You see, most people they have ill thoughts about God it's normal even claim
spoke about this not just in modern modern times they're wondering like why did God do this to me
they have the sentiments of resentment of criticism of, you know objection of why why how come why
not? This is the only people that are spared of that are those that are allowed to get a deeper
understanding of how if you will, Allah operates
		

			and those who have that lived the best life in this world. That's why Abdullah Al Baraka Hina Hola.
He used to say Messiah quinoa added duniya clergymen Hawala mizuko levy that he had, the pathetic is
the condition of the people of this world. All they know how to do is measured by the apparent
outward nature of this world. They spent their life and exited this world he said, without tasting
the most delicious thing in it. They said what's that? He said Maddie for Tula to have a deep
meaningful acquaintance, to experience nearness, experience understanding of God on some level.
		

			When someone has that then they know for sure I'm confident it's all good as the Prophet alayhi
salaatu wa sallam also said he said wonderful is the condition of the believer. He said while I
Hakuna Delica elite movement but this is only for the believer. He separates us you're in a pack of
your own if you're of this kind, this is only the believer that all his conditions are excellent he
something pleasing happens thanks Allah good for him something displeasing happens his patients Good
for him. So you you operate knowing that it's all good.
		

			And I'll give you an example.
		

			When you understand deeper Allah's names and His attributes and His actions, you stop measuring your
blessings solely based on what you gather of this world like materialistically speaking, right? Just
the material of this world.
		

			You know, Abdullah Massoud, there'll be Allah who he used to say that you know, at times a person
makes a certain decision about business or otherwise I'm gonna marry this woman I'm going to take
part in this venture, whatever it is, and then Allah says to His angels, get in the way barricade My
servant from this objective of his for in in yourself to hula hula culture who not because if I
allow him to have it if I facilitate this pursuit of his for him or her, I'm going to admit him into
the fire. If Miss route says so the guy wakes up in the morning saying, I have such bad luck. I got
hit with the evil eye things are never going my way when who are Illa for the Lucha alley, and it's
		

			actually in reality it is nothing but Allah's Bounty over him. He's kicking himself and kicking
life, but it's actually his best day he just got saved. He just dodged the bullet as they say. And
that's why Apple has himself in the dinar Rahimullah he used to say
		

			in an amateur Allahu Allah, FEMA Zoa and even a dunya avant Minamata he female funny. That Allah's
favor on me in terms of what he kept away
		

			from me of this world, is actually a bigger blessing than the His favor on me in terms of what he
gave me of this world. He said because he has given more of it to other people, and I see most of
them get destroyed by it. Where did he get that from? Where did he get that insight from? From the
Quran? From understanding Allah better through his revelation? Allah said, Well basata Allah Horace
Kalia daddy, la fille Arnold, if Allah were to open, the valves are open the gates have provisions
for his slaves, they would violate in much more ways than they already do. They would get worse and
worse and worse, while I can noona zero Kadri mana Shah but instead we send it down in increments.
		

			We send it down gradually for whomever we wish he is selective of his favor on you is that he
filters your prayers for you that he doesn't give you everything you asked for. Sometimes he'll give
you in the direct fashion. Other times he will withhold from you what you asked for to give you
something better and safer in the hereafter.
		

			That's why he said what an attack will mean Colima sell tomo and he gave you from not all from all
that you asked for.
		

			The fact that he responds to your DUA is him giving you and the fact that he didn't give you
everything immediately is also him giving you so if you only fail Rahim Allah has to say about this
concept men who are thought that his withholding the withholding of God is actually another form
perhaps many times and even better form of him giving you him withholding is another form of him
giving that that is what you get those sentiments those convictions. You know we already spoke about
the last in our last hole but together about you know the tools our Dean blessed us with to guard
our gratitude when you look at those above you
		

			Look at those below. You have a blessing channel it in good causes reflect thanks in your actions so
that you can may feel blessed. So those are two tools. But the secret ingredient the most important
aspect without which you can never be grateful is knowledge of Allah azza wa jal subhanho wa Taala
every believer that has deep knowledge of Allah, no matter what their circumstances are, they remain
unwavering in their certainty that Allah gave me no matter what the fact that I'm Muslim, the fact
that I get to know him, the fact that I have some understanding about him. This is enough of a
reason for every single Muslim to smile from within to truly have a heartfelt gratitude regardless,
		

			irrespective of their circumstances. Akula Holly has our stuff for Allah Allah Emily welcome.
		

			Alhamdulillah wa Salatu was Salam ala Milena via shadow Allah ilaha illallah wa Hoda, Shetty, Cara,
who are shadow and Mohammed and Abdullah, who whenever you who are pseudo.
		

			The second meaning of there is no gratitude without God, not just there's no gratitude without
having knowledge of God, that is found that his revelation, understanding him better. But also there
is no gratitude without God, meaning without him helping you become grateful. You see that that is
what the prophets in the righteous always understood. They felt gratitude and they knew it came from
Allah. And so they asked Allah to keep it there and to increase it there for them. They lived with
this notion that you've granted me so much, because they understand God, right? Even the things you
withheld, you're granting me even if I can't see it, I know you're granting there certain of that.
		

			Now, then they say now grant me gratitude. Right? That's what perfect your favor on me with
gratitude. It said that Musa alayhis salam, Moses peace be upon him, he you say, oh, Allah helped me
be grateful, because how can I ever be grateful? When every hair on my body is Sue favors from you,
I can never repay on my own. The first favor is that you made my didn't make my skin stiff. You
know, if your skin was stiff, your hair would fall out. It wouldn't be a good like holder receptacle
for your hair for the hair follicle. And so imagine all your hair falls out, it would be a difficult
sight to look at everything gone.
		

			He said in the second favor is that you didn't make the hair itself stiff. Because if all your hair
became needles, you wouldn't be able to lay down to rest. And so those are two priceless blessings
in a single hair. So where do we start saying Oh, Allah helped me. And it is reported that there
will David Alayhis Salam, he you say Oh Allah, how can I repay you?
		

			When even thanking you is another blessing from you, when you finally say Alhamdulillah from your
heart, who put it on your heart who put it on your tongue? Who inspired you to do that? That's from
him. And so it's an endless cycle. And so Allah revealed to him Oh, that would you recognizing that
your inability to thank Without me, you recognizing that is thanking me? That is why they say of the
pillars of gratitude and humility.
		

			And his son Solomon, Solomon Alayhis Salam, we have it in the Quran, actually, that when he
recognized some of Allah's face papers on him, he said, Rob voz, Annie and ash Khurana ametek Oh,
Allah inspire me drive me forward in that direction. inspire me to thank your favors that you've
bestowed upon me and my parents were an AMA la sala Hans Alba, and now grant me the ability to do
righteous deeds that will make You pleased with me. You know, Allah inspire me to gratitude is that
statement that will collaborate Abracadabra. As a remarkable story.
		

			Abdullah had named Mohammed, one of the narrators in the in the biographical works, he says, I got
to the outskirts of Egypt, middle of nowhere, he says, and I find this rundown tent that looked like
it belonged to someone who was dead poor.
		

			So I get into the tent and I see an incredible sight. You know,
		

			I see a man with no arms and no legs. Perhaps he had lost them gangrene or some sort of infection,
and was hard of hearing and hard of seeing.
		

			And I walk in and I see this in front of me. That's the image and I hear him saying Allahumma
elzear. And he and ash Khurana ematic. Oh, Allah inspire me to thank your favors that you've
bestowed upon me and my parents, one football, tennis Allah cathedra amendment Halaqaat of the law
and for the fact that you have preferred me over so many of your creation, the narrator says so I
blurted out, like what are you saying, What are you thanking him for what exactly? And so he said to
me,
		

			Be silent shut your mouth. For I swear if God sent the sky down on me to crushed me and unleashed
the ocean on me to drown me, and released fire upon me to incinerate me to roast me, I would do
nothing but thank him. He said, For what? But for what at that point, he said that he gave me a
heart that was grateful, and a tongue that praises him. He said to me, but I have a young son that
whenever it's prayer time, he brings me my water to wash up and I haven't seen him in days. Can you
help me? He says, so I went out to find his son. And I found that the wild animals had just tore him
to shreds. I found his body there. I said, this must be his son. How do I bring someone like him bad
		

			news. He's already going through enough. He said, So as I'm walking back, Allah guided me to the
idea of the story of a new job Alehissalaam. And so I entered upon him and I said to him, do you
know God's Servant and Prophet Ayoub? He said, Yes, of course. He said, What did he do when Allah
tested him with the loss of his family? He said, He was patient said and the loss of his health, he
was patient, the loss of his fortunes, he was patient.
		

			So I said to him, Well, Allah has chosen to honor you the way he has honored his profit job is
profit to you. So he responded and said, All Praise be to Allah, who did not allow any of my
descendants, my offspring to live to an age where they defy God and be admitted to the fire because
of it. And then he got choked up and he died.
		

			He says, I didn't know how to watch someone like this. I didn't know what to do. So I walked out of
the tent and I see four riders on horses, I wave them down. And I bring them in. So I don't know
this guy, but we got to help him. This is his final rights, we have to give him his final ride. So
they say I'm covering his face, because he had thrown his shoulder shawl on his face, just a
temporary shroud. So they uncover his face and immediately they fall to their knees, and they begin
to kiss him on his eyes and on his forehead. And they begin to say, this is that forehead, they used
to spend long periods prostrating to Allah. These are the eyes that were diligently always lowering
		

			their gaze from looking at indecent things. These are the hands that used to spend lengthy hours
praying to God supplicating to God. He said to Who is he that you don't know who this is? This is a
book club. This is the student of him now best, if not best, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
is companion, his student. The government wanted him to become the judge. And instead of saying I
finally made it, but to you know, making it big, he was afraid of the responsibility. So he fled and
chose to live in the wilderness where no one could find him and apparently went through what he went
through. So he said we watched him up and we prayed on him and we buried him and that night, I saw
		

			him in a dream.
		

			He was dressed in in flashy green, he says strat strutting walking with, you know, confidence or
swagger through gardens he said it must have been paradise. That's what he understood. He said he's
reciting the verse of Allah and Surah rod, Salah Munna la Combi mouths about salatu infonet,
Morocco, but dar over and over again, Peace be upon you for being patient. How excellent a
destination this is. So I said to him in my dream, you're that guy, aren't you? The guy who just
buried he said, Yes. He said, What has Allah done with you? What has God done for you? He said,
there are certain levels in paradise that nobody could ever attain. iLab Sabri filled Bella was
		

			Shoukry for Raha by being patient through difficulty, and being grateful through through blessings.
And so that is not just the life of the prophets. That is the life of the believer. It is so
beautiful. He already sees the blessings. He's not wondering, Am I blessed or not deficit mindset,
always looking for more feeling like there have the short end of the stick every day and every
night. The believer knows they're blessed, blessed in more ways than they deserve blessed in more
ways than they realize their understanding of God causes them to defer to him. And they asked him to
perfect his blessing on them with gratitude with guidance. And I'll close with that that is the
		

			story of Al Fatiha, that is where you begin al Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran saying and
hamdulillahi rabbil Alameen praising Allah. And then you say at the end of Al Fatiha Serapion Latina
and I'm telling him grant me the path of those you favored. I want the greatest favor. Now. I
recognize you as the bestower of all favors, give me the most important favor, to be grateful and
guided to be committed and observant. May Allah fill our hearts with gratitude. May Allah fill our
tongues with praise. May Allah azza wa jal make us consistent and worthy servants of him Allah whom
I mean, not allow us to spend our lives worshiping His creation, or to live for shallow ends or
		

			shallow purposes. May Allah forgive us all and have mercy on us all and enrich us all and fill us
with contentment as well was Allah Allah has a little broader kind of Vienna Mohammed Al hamdu
Lillahi Rabbil Alameen