Three Expensive Plaques
A Little or Alot, Learning to be Thankful
A wise person hung up Three expensive plaques in his office that he would read daily.
Written on the first was, “Your today, your today! ” Meaning, live within the boundaries of today, working and striving. The second said, “Reflect and be thankful. ” Meaning, contemplate Allah’s blessings upon you and be grateful. “Don’t be angry,” was written on the third.
These three brief sentences are worthy of being hung up in a noticeable place and read daily.
The person who is not thankful to Allah for cold, pure water will not be thankful to Him for a mansion or a luxury car.
The person who is not thankful for warm bread will not be grateful if he suddenly becomes blessed with luxury food items, because an ingratitude person sees a little and a lot to be the same thing.
Many before us have made binding promises to Allah that whenever He would give them blessings or whenever He would shower good upon them, they would in turn be grateful and give charity.
“And of them are some who made a covenant with Allah [saying]: ‘If He bestowed on us of His Bounty, we will verily, give Sadaqah [Zakah and voluntary charity in Allah’s Cause] and will be certainly among those who are righteous.’ Then when He gave them of His Bounty, they became niggardly [refused to pay the Zakah or voluntary charity], and turned away, averse.” (Quran 75:76)
Sometimes, we feel despair and bitter, despite the good state of health we have and in spite of the nourishing food that sustains us daily, not to mention all of the basic needs that we have. Thankfullness is taken for granted for all of these things, nor are we thankful for the free time that we have. What would then be the case if we were given castles or mansions!!
The one who walks barefoot says, ‘I will be thankful to my Lord when he blesses me with shoes.’
The one with shoes postpones being grateful until he gets an expensive car.
Little or alot- we need to be Thankful ! We take blessings cash down and are thankful on credit. Our wishes to Allah are never-ending while we are slow and lethargic in applying His commandments.
“O Allah! Make us amongst those who are grateful for All the Favours and Bounties that you bestow upon us. Ameen.”
Source: Don’t be Sad – Shaykh Aaidh ibn Abdullah Al-Qarni
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za
