UAE Friday sermon: show gratitude for all of God's blessings

Mosque-goers will be told that a grateful Muslim is one who strives to praise Allah by performing acts of obedience and the prescribed acts of worship

Be grateful for the blessings conferred on you by God for they are immeasurable, the sermon will tell mosque-goers on Friday.

The Quran says "and if you should count the favours of Allah, you could not enumerate them." (An-Nahl: 18). Sometimes blessings are not immediately obvious, the sermon will say.

But we should appreciate those favours and show gratitude towards the God who says, "then eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favour of Allah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship." (An-Nahl: 114).

Thankfulness involves recognising the favour, appreciating it and showing gratitude towards the giver. In this sense, a grateful Muslim is one who strives to praise Allah by performing acts of obedience and the prescribed acts of worship

Showing gratitude not only protects the gifts given to you, but will also grow them, for God will always increase His favours upon those who are thankful, the sermon will say.

On this the Quran says "if you loan Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you and forgive you. And Allah is Most Appreciative and Forbearing."  (At-Taghabun: 17).

Even small acts of obedience are rewarded in abundance. Prophet Mohammed gave an example of this saying "While a man was on the way, he found a thorny branch of a tree there on the way and removed it. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him."

The ways in which Muslims can thank God are many and the Prophets set a good example to emulate.

After seeing the throne of Balqees placed before him, Prophet Suleiman said, "this is from the favour of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful." (An-Naml: 40).

Prophet Mohammed taught Muslims to turn to Allah and invoke Him saying, "I acknowledge the favours that You have conferred upon me." That is to say: I am grateful to You for the favours You bestowed upon me.

Other ways to show gratitude to Allah include thanking all who have done us a favour. As Prophet Mohammed said "Whoever is not grateful to the people, he is not grateful to Allah."

The sermon will tell mosque-goers to extend their thanks the UAE’s leadership that strives to ensure comfort and safety of its people.

Thanks should also be extended to every father and mother, each teacher and employee. All gratitude is due to all those who perfect their work and to every person who contributes to achieving development and prosperity in the UAE.