fbpixel

Fuel the research. Fund the reach.

Become a Yaqeen Sustainer

Yaqeen Institute Logo
ReadWatchListenLearnDonate

Blog

Psychology & Mental Health

General Psychology

3 Steps to Show Gratitude in Islam | Blog

How do you thank someone for a gift in Islam? How do u show your gratitude, or shukr, to people? Here are three steps to express gratitude Islamically.

Authored by

Published: November 11, 2022 •Rabi al-Thani 17, 1444

Updated: October 20, 2023 •Rabi al-Thani 5, 1445

Read time: 2 min

3 Steps to Show Gratitude in Islam | Blog
On this page
You wake up one day and check your mail to find an unexpected package in your name. You haven’t ordered anything recently, so you’re curious as to what it could be. After you open it, you realize a dear friend sent you a gift for no reason other than to make you feel valued. The feelings of surprise and anticipation, followed by the reveal, change your mood and make your day.

So how do you thank this person properly?

Thanking people

We may be familiar with different ways of offering shukr (gratitude) to Allah, but what about expressing shukr to people? Interestingly, giving proper recognition and thanks to people is an essential aspect of offering shukr to Allah. Three different hadiths capture this concept.
First, the Prophet ﷺ said,

“He who does not show shukr to people does not show shukr to Allah” [Jami At-Tirmidhi #1955]. 

In another version, the order is reversed where the Prophet ﷺ said,

“One does not show shukr to Allah if he does not show shukr to people.”1 

Finally, in a third narration, the Prophet ﷺ said,

“Verily, the most grateful (ashkar) of people to Allah are the ones most grateful (ashkaruhum) to people” [Musnad Ahmad #21838].

These different sayings could mean either a statement of fact that those who do not care to show shukr to people undoubtedly do not show shukr to the Creator, or it could indicate that Allah will not accept the shukr of a person if that person does not show shukr to people.

More like this

When Scrolling Breeds Despair: A Prophetic Cure to Comparison Culture

When Scrolling Breeds Despair: A Prophetic Cure to Comparison Culture

Between Pharaoh’s Riviera and the Divine Promise: Gaza as a Metaphor for the Muslim Soul in Ramadan | Blog

Between Pharaoh’s Riviera and the Divine Promise: Gaza as a Metaphor for the Muslim Soul in Ramadan | Blog

What Are We Worth? Redefining Muslim Value with Dignity and Honor | Blog

What Are We Worth? Redefining Muslim Value with Dignity and Honor | Blog

How to thank someone in Islam

The Islamic protocol for thanking people is quite beautiful and comprehensive. There are three steps to express gratitude Islamically:

Step 1

If someone has done you a favor, you're encouraged to return the favor.
 If you're unable to do so, then…

Step 2

The beneficiary should say to the benefactor, “May Allah reward you [with] goodness” (jazāk Allāhu khayrā).
 If the beneficiary is unable to say that phrase to the benefactor, then…

Step 3

The beneficiary should (a) praise
 and mention the benefactor’s goodness to others
 and (b) and pray for the giver until they feel like they rewarded them in kind.
Maybe there is no right or wrong way to thank people, but there’s definitely an Islamic way. The most important thing is to do something and show gratitude!
To learn more about gratitude, check out: "The Art of Gratitude: Qur’anic Themes on Shukr."

GRATITUDE WORKSHEET:

How to use the worksheet

Go down the first column titled “people to thank” and then start moving through each step for thanking that specific person. Place a check mark in the box where you’re able to properly thank the person. If you cannot do step 1, then move over to step 2. If you’re unable to do step 2, then do the last (step 3) and ask Allah to accept your good deeds.

References

1.
al-Albānī, Silsilah al-Ahādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah, no. 416.
2.
Abū Sulaymān al-Khaṭṭābī, Ma’ālim al-Sunan
3.
Reported by Abū Dāwūd (no. 5109). al-Albānī classified it as Ṣaḥīḥ.
4.
Reported by al-Tirmidhī, no. 2035
5.
Reported by al-Bukhārī, al-Adab al-Mufrad (no. 215)
6.
Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal, al-Musnad, no. 24593, al-‘Arna’ūt classified the matn as Ḥasan li Ghayrihi
7.
Reported by Abū Dāwūd (no. 1672). al-Albānī classified it as Ṣaḥīḥ.

Want to appear on Yaqeen?

Submit your paper or blog idea.
Ameen app phones

FOR ALL YOUR DU'A NEEDS

Download the Ameen app

playstore_app(opens in a new tab)
playstore_app(opens in a new tab)
Anonymous Guest Contributor

Anonymous Guest Contributor

Author

Tags

BlogGratitude (Shukr)

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in these papers and articles are strictly those of the authors. Furthermore, Yaqeen does not endorse any of the personal views of the authors on any platform. Our team is diverse on all fronts, allowing for constant, enriching dialogue that helps us produce high-quality research.

Want to appear on Yaqeen?

Submit your paper or blog idea.