It’s quite natural for us to have something, and desire much better. We have a nice house, but we always wish we had bigger rooms, or the latest appliances, or those silk curtains from Italy our neighbors have. We have a nice car, but we wish we had those leather seats instead, or a six CD changer instead of five. We have nice clothes but we want that new Guess shirt from guess that has a black collar, or those new Old Navy shorts with bulky pockets. We are truly never happy with what we have. But have you ever imagined if those very blessings were replaced with worse? Wouldn’t we be grateful then? You don’t realize how important something is until you lose it.
This is why Allah teaches us to be grateful at every moment. He shows us through many different examples in the Qur’an of how we should be grateful every moment. The people of Saba were ungrateful for all the blessings they had. They had gardens and gardens filled with edible fruits and vegetables. And because of their ungratefulness, it was all replaced with tamarisks which are plants that destroy everything. Many examples like this are in the Qur’an again and again telling us to be grateful.
Turn to Allah, and thank him for everything he has given you. For every little and big thing he has provided you with. After all, he could have given you less…
“There was for [the tribe of] Saba’ in their dwelling place a sign: two [fields of] gardens on the right and on the left. [They were told], “Eat from the provisions of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land [have you], and a forgiving Lord.” But they turned away [refusing], so We sent upon them the flood of the dam, and We replaced their two [fields of] gardens with gardens of bitter fruit, tamarisks and something of sparse lote trees.” [Saba: 14-15]
Happy moments, praise Allah
Difficult moments, seek Allah
Quiet moments, worship Allah
Painful moments, trust Allah
Every moment, thank Allah
Agreed.