Allah has granted the UAE countless blessings and, therefore, we should show our gratitude and appreciation by spreading hope.
“Life is an arena for doing plenty of good deeds,” says Friday’s sermon. “Islam appreciates initiatives that bring hope to the needy people and also benefit others.”
Prophet Mohammed once said: “Never does a Muslim plant trees or cultivate land and a bird, a man or a beast eats out of them but that is a charity on his behalf.”
Allah has promised increased blessings if one shows gratitude: “And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you’ [in favour],” says the Quran.
And the best way to show gratitude is by spending blessings in Allah’s way.
“The UAE people have always thanked Allah for all His gifts and shared them with others,” continues the sermon.
“He has blessed the UAE with stability, which is one of the greatest favours in the world.
“As a way of showing gratitude, the UAE builds academic institutions and supports education sectors in other countries, in full commitment to knowledge which Allah sets as a criterion for mankind’s elevation and advancement,” adds the sermon.
As Prophet Mohammed once said: “if the Hour almost set while one of you are holding seeds of plant, he should still plant it.”
A Quranic verse also says: “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is acquainted with what you do.”
hdajani@thenational.ae