Praise: Not Forgetting the Giver of Blessings

11 August 2021

One Word Can Change an Entire Life

Question: What are we truly acknowledging when we say Alhamdulillah?

The words we have accustomed our tongues to sometimes do not reach our hearts. We give praise, yet think what we possess is solely our own achievement.

The opening of Al-Fatihah confronts us with this contradiction. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. These words are not merely thanks; they are recognizing the true source of blessings.

Being able to eat, drink, see, hear… Each of these is an ability we often use without noticing. There is effort on the part of the person who brings bread; but people have not single-handedly created the entire order that makes the bread’s existence possible.

Question: When describing our achievements, how much do we remember what has been given to us?

The Value of a Blessing We Can Easily Access

People sometimes lose appreciation for what is close to them. The Qur’an at home has stood on the shelf for years, yet they may not open it to understand it.

Meanwhile, a historical book discovered far away may arouse great excitement. This means value lies not only in something being rare, but also in how we receive it.

Those who give praise do not belittle what they have. Looking at their spouse, child, work, and opportunities, they may see these as trusts given to them.

Constantly wanting more may prevent people from seeing what exists. Even pausing for a moment to think, “What has been given to me today?” may change their outlook.

Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim: Need and Return

In Al-Fatihah, after praise, we are reminded that Allah is Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim. While living within mercy, we need to become aware of it.

People make mistakes. The story of Prophet Adam recalls the importance of accepting responsibility after a wrong and turning toward Allah.

Sometimes we place all responsibility on someone else. Yet repentance also requires being able to say, “Where did I go wrong?”

Question: Are we trying to defend our mistake, or turn away from it?

While speaking of the vastness of mercy, we cannot consider people’s own choices insignificant. We have a responsibility to turn back within the time given to us.

Bringing the Words into Our Lives

Let “Alhamdulillah” not merely be the sentence of a beautiful moment. Even when things do not go as we wish, let it remind us that life does not consist of a single event.

These words do not distance us from responsibility. On the contrary, they call us to use the blessings we have rightly.

Today, while speaking with someone, doing our work, or returning home, we can ask: Did I put myself at the center, or remember my Lord?

Praise begins with seeing the blessing; it deepens through living according to the measure of the One who gives it.