WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:24.040 Almost Satisfying Music 00:24.040 --> 00:33.280 Being Aware of Blessings 00:54.040 --> 01:13.840 When you look around you, your eyes focus on dozens of objects one after the other, 01:13.840 --> 01:14.840 within seconds. 01:14.840 --> 01:20.680 They turn towards the blue sea, boats, the opposite shore, the bridge, flying birds and 01:20.680 --> 01:22.760 many other things. 01:22.760 --> 01:27.080 Even before I uttered this sentence, your eyes have been repeatedly engaged with dozens, 01:27.080 --> 01:29.200 even hundreds of details. 01:29.200 --> 01:35.160 When I enter, dozens of details catch my eye again, each one more beautiful than the other. 01:35.160 --> 01:40.080 These trinkets, eye-catching flowers, and this beautiful clock on the wall. 01:40.080 --> 01:43.560 Allah is the creator of each of these details. 01:43.560 --> 01:48.760 All of these images, which go on and on in harmony with each other, constitute our whole 01:48.760 --> 01:49.920 life. 01:49.920 --> 01:57.640 Our destiny is made up of all these moments. 01:57.640 --> 02:02.640 A Muslim should know that Allah has created every detail he sees and every image he encounters 02:02.640 --> 02:04.240 in his destiny. 02:04.240 --> 02:08.960 This increases his submission to Allah and adds depth to his understanding. 02:08.960 --> 02:14.280 Allah has given us understanding so that we may contemplate his creation, realize his 02:14.280 --> 02:19.240 beautiful presence with deep intimacy, and draw close to him in reverent fear and strong 02:19.240 --> 02:20.240 love. 02:20.240 --> 02:23.480 Allah says so in Surah Al-Insan. 02:23.480 --> 02:26.680 I seek refuge in God from Satan. 02:26.680 --> 02:32.480 Has there not been over man a long period of time when he was nothing, not even mentioned? 02:32.480 --> 02:39.480 Verily, we created man from a drop of mingled sperm in order to try him, so we gave him 02:39.480 --> 02:42.320 the gifts of hearing and sight. 02:42.320 --> 02:46.480 As it is stated in the verse, we are all being tested. 02:46.480 --> 02:50.320 Every morning when we wake up, Allah gives us life again and grants us consciousness 02:50.320 --> 02:51.680 and memory. 02:51.680 --> 02:56.120 He organizes every process happening in our body at every moment. 02:56.120 --> 03:01.600 He controls our blinking, heartbeats, body temperature, immune system, sensitive values 03:01.600 --> 03:06.760 in our blood, and every process happening in our cells, even those we are not aware 03:06.760 --> 03:07.760 of. 03:07.760 --> 03:12.280 Therefore, we must trust in Allah from the moment we open our eyes in the morning. 03:12.280 --> 03:16.360 The first thing we should do when we wake up is to express gratitude to Allah for granting 03:16.360 --> 03:29.760 us the opportunity to wake up with all these blessings. 03:29.760 --> 03:33.920 Human beings live every moment of their lives in need on Allah. 03:33.920 --> 03:39.120 They are dependent on what Allah has created and bestowed upon them in every aspect of 03:39.120 --> 03:40.120 life. 03:40.120 --> 03:45.560 From the air they breathe, the food they eat, the use of their hands and feet, their ability 03:45.560 --> 03:49.640 to speak, their shelter, to their laughter and joy. 03:49.640 --> 03:55.720 However, a large majority of people do not realize inabilities and that they are in need 03:55.720 --> 03:56.720 of Allah. 03:56.720 --> 04:01.880 They think that everything happens spontaneously or that they have achieved what they have 04:01.880 --> 04:05.360 as a result of their own efforts and endeavors. 04:05.360 --> 04:10.460 This is both a great mistake and a great ingratitude towards Allah. 04:10.460 --> 04:15.360 Some people who do not know how to thank even a person who buys them a small gift live their 04:15.360 --> 04:20.120 lives ignoring the countless blessings Allah has given them throughout their lives. 04:20.120 --> 04:33.400 However, they owe everything they have to Allah and they should be grateful to him alone. 04:33.400 --> 04:36.800 Allah gives us so many blessings that we cannot end with counting. 04:36.800 --> 04:39.480 He creates various foods and drinks that we like. 04:39.480 --> 04:43.840 Allah created the fragrance of coffee and the flavor of the food we eat at lunch. 04:43.840 --> 04:46.880 When we open our window, we are encountered with fresh air. 04:46.880 --> 04:51.360 Allah created the clean water that flows from the tap every time we open it and he is the 04:51.360 --> 04:53.920 one who sends us fresh water from the sky. 04:53.920 --> 04:55.760 He heals us when we get sick. 04:55.760 --> 05:00.200 He creates the medical knowledge, doctors and medicines that enable us to be healed. 05:00.200 --> 05:05.320 Allah creates various cleaning and care products, perfumes, beautiful clothes and sparkling 05:05.320 --> 05:06.960 packages for us. 05:06.960 --> 05:11.180 Allah creates for us fruits and vegetables of all colors and different flavors that come 05:11.180 --> 05:15.260 out of the same brown soil and the vitamins and minerals in each of them are adjusted 05:15.260 --> 05:17.620 exactly to our needs. 05:17.620 --> 05:23.340 In the 18th verse of Surah An-Nal in the Quran, I seek refuge in Allah from Satan. 05:23.340 --> 05:26.700 If you would count up the favors of Allah, never would you be able to number them for 05:26.700 --> 05:29.300 Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful. 05:29.300 --> 05:31.700 Surah An-Nal, 18. 05:31.700 --> 05:35.980 It is not possible to count Allah's blessings even by dividing them into classes as reported 05:35.980 --> 05:36.980 in the verse. 05:36.980 --> 05:41.940 Allah creates for us technological marvels such as telephones, computers, airplanes, 05:41.940 --> 05:44.460 the latest model luxury cars and yachts. 05:44.460 --> 05:49.540 The flowers on your balcony are also created by Allah for you. 05:49.540 --> 05:55.660 Kilometers and hectares of forests, rivers, mountains, blue skies, white clouds, every 05:55.660 --> 06:01.660 fish in the seas, lions, tigers, giraffes in the forests, the cat, dog and bird in your 06:01.660 --> 06:04.700 house are also created by Allah for you. 06:04.700 --> 06:09.180 Along with these, the most important thing is that Allah gives us the intellect to believe, 06:09.180 --> 06:13.380 the conscience to distinguish right from wrong and the sensitivity to love. 06:13.380 --> 06:17.380 He creates with us the Quran, which is a guide for us to live a beautiful life in the world 06:17.380 --> 06:19.660 that Allah will be pleased with. 06:19.660 --> 06:23.500 But he does not create all these blessings and leave us alone in this world. 06:23.500 --> 06:28.220 As our protector, Allah is constantly protecting and watching over us. 06:28.220 --> 06:32.380 We cannot thank Allah enough for all these blessings. 06:32.380 --> 06:35.740 Only a very few of which we have mentioned here in general. 06:35.740 --> 06:38.940 Therefore every day we should start our day with excitement, thinking about what good 06:38.940 --> 06:42.880 things Allah has wished for us that day, and we should start our day with more closeness 06:42.880 --> 06:44.020 to Allah. 06:44.020 --> 06:47.620 We must be attentive in order to see the wisdom and the details of the succession of moments 06:47.620 --> 06:49.140 in our destiny. 06:49.140 --> 06:52.260 Attention in this direction will lead to a deeper understanding and to gain Allah's 06:52.260 --> 06:53.260 pleasure and closeness. 07:02.860 --> 07:11.740 Gratitude means to thank the giver of a blessing, to express satisfaction and gratitude, to 07:11.740 --> 07:16.060 know the value of the blessing given, to appreciate it. 07:16.060 --> 07:22.540 To be grateful to Allah is to realize that Allah is the sole owner of all blessings, 07:22.540 --> 07:28.860 and that everything comes from him alone, and to express this with the heart and tongue. 07:28.860 --> 07:36.100 The opposite of gratitude is described in the Quran by the term kufr, which means ingratitude. 07:36.100 --> 07:40.860 This definition alone is sufficient to show how important gratitude is in the sight of 07:40.860 --> 07:47.460 Allah and how bad a position it puts a person in when he turns away from it. 07:47.460 --> 07:52.660 Gratitude is an important worship reported in many verses of the Quran. 07:52.660 --> 07:58.340 The Quran mentions the importance of gratitude and reminds the believers to be thankful. 07:58.380 --> 08:02.900 Examples of thankful and unthankful people are given. 08:02.900 --> 08:08.100 Gratitude is one of the greatest indicators of faith and tawhid, monotheism. 08:08.100 --> 08:13.740 In one verse, gratitude is mentioned as one of the conditions of serving Allah alone. 08:13.740 --> 08:21.020 O ye who believe, eat of the good things that we have provided for you, and be grateful 08:21.020 --> 08:27.420 to Allah if it is him ye worship. 08:27.420 --> 08:35.540 In another verse, gratitude is mentioned together with worshiping Allah as the opposite of polytheism. 08:35.540 --> 08:39.860 But it has already been revealed to thee, as it was to those before thee. 08:39.860 --> 08:45.740 If thou wert to join gods with Allah, truly fruitless will be thy work in life, and thou 08:45.740 --> 08:50.260 wilt surely be in the ranks of those who lose all spiritual good. 08:50.260 --> 08:55.820 Nay, but worship Allah, and be of those who give thanks. 08:55.820 --> 09:00.620 Believers thank Allah for every blessing they have, thinking how helpless and needy 09:00.620 --> 09:01.860 they are. 09:01.860 --> 09:07.420 Wealth, property, and possessions are not the only blessings for which believers thank 09:07.420 --> 09:08.580 Allah. 09:08.580 --> 09:14.220 Believers, who know that Allah is the owner and judge of everything, are grateful for 09:14.220 --> 09:21.500 their health, beauty, knowledge, wisdom, love of faith, dislike of disbelief, being among 09:21.500 --> 09:27.900 the people of guidance, being with the pure believers, having understanding, prudence, 09:27.900 --> 09:29.420 and discernment. 09:29.420 --> 09:34.620 They thank Allah for a beautiful sight they see, or when their work is done easily, when 09:34.620 --> 09:39.820 something they want is realized, when they hear a good word, when they receive love and 09:39.820 --> 09:45.520 respect, and when they encounter many other blessings, they immediately thank Allah and 09:45.520 --> 09:53.720 think that he is merciful, compassionate, merciful, and gracious. 09:53.720 --> 09:58.880 There are some secrets in the Qur'an about those who are grateful. 09:58.880 --> 10:03.280 Allah has given some secrets to the believers in the Qur'an. 10:03.280 --> 10:06.640 Some of these secrets are for those who are grateful. 10:06.640 --> 10:12.400 In return for the believers' gratitude, Allah gives them the understanding to see and understand 10:12.400 --> 10:16.160 the verses in the Qur'an and in the outside world. 10:16.160 --> 10:18.760 This is stated in the verses as follows. 10:18.760 --> 10:24.160 We sent Moses with our signs and the command, Bring out thy people from the depths of darkness 10:24.160 --> 10:28.800 into light, and teach them to remember the days of Allah. 10:28.800 --> 10:34.320 Verily in this there are signs for such as are firmly patient and constant, grateful 10:34.320 --> 10:38.680 and appreciative. 10:38.680 --> 10:43.320 From the land that is clean and good, by the will of its cherisher springs up produce, 10:43.320 --> 10:45.640 rich, after its kind. 10:45.640 --> 10:50.120 But from the land that is bad, springs up nothing but that which is niggardly. 10:50.120 --> 10:54.840 Thus do we explain the signs by various symbols to those who are grateful. 10:54.840 --> 11:21.720 Surah Al-A'raf 58 11:21.720 --> 11:27.520 Being among those who are grateful is an indication of one's closeness, friendship, 11:27.520 --> 11:30.280 and love for Allah. 11:30.280 --> 11:34.660 Grateful people always have the understanding and ability to see the beauties and blessings 11:34.660 --> 11:38.400 created by Allah in every event. 11:38.400 --> 11:45.180 An unbelieving or ungrateful person always sees deficiencies and flaws, even in the most 11:45.180 --> 11:50.860 beautiful environments, and becomes unhappy or uneasy with them. 11:50.860 --> 11:56.100 As a wisdom of Allah's creation, these people are always confronted with events that seem 11:56.100 --> 11:59.820 to be wrong, and images that are not beautiful. 11:59.820 --> 12:05.860 However, for people who have a beautiful and sincere view, Allah always shows beauties 12:05.860 --> 12:10.660 and blessings by increasing them. 12:10.660 --> 12:14.940 Another secret revealed in the Quran for the thankful is that Allah will increase his favors 12:14.940 --> 12:16.580 for the thankful. 12:16.580 --> 12:21.820 For example, if a Muslim is grateful for his health and strength, Allah will increase his 12:21.820 --> 12:23.980 strength and health. 12:23.980 --> 12:27.240 Allah gives more knowledge and property to those who are grateful for their knowledge 12:27.240 --> 12:28.240 and property. 12:28.240 --> 12:31.380 This means that they are among the people who are content with what Allah has given 12:31.380 --> 12:36.380 them, who rejoice in the blessings they have, and who are sincere and friends with Allah. 12:36.380 --> 12:41.180 Allah has revealed this secret in the Quran as follows. 12:41.180 --> 12:47.140 And remember, your Lord caused to be declared publicly, If he are grateful, I will add more 12:47.140 --> 12:49.160 favors unto you. 12:49.160 --> 12:54.680 But if he show ingratitude, truly, my punishment is terrible indeed. 12:54.680 --> 12:59.920 In many verses of the Quran, Allah has foretold that he will repay gratitude, increase his 12:59.920 --> 13:03.500 favors to those who are grateful and reward them. 13:03.500 --> 13:09.040 Allah declares this beauty in Surah Shashurah as follows. 13:09.040 --> 13:14.920 That is, the bounty, whereof Allah gives glad tidings to his servants who believe and do 13:14.920 --> 13:21.920 righteous deeds, say, No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near 13:21.920 --> 13:23.540 of kin. 13:23.540 --> 13:29.760 And if anyone earns any good, we shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof. 13:29.760 --> 13:37.820 For Allah is oft-forgiving, most ready to appreciate service. 13:37.820 --> 13:43.020 It is one of the secrets of the Quran that Allah increases his favors to those who are 13:43.020 --> 13:44.020 grateful. 13:44.020 --> 13:48.900 Of course, this gratitude must be done with true sincerity. 13:48.900 --> 13:54.900 An expression of gratitude that is not sincere, that is not directed towards Allah, and that 13:54.900 --> 14:00.020 is not done with a feeling of the ecstasy of his infinite compassion and mercy, and 14:00.020 --> 14:05.580 that is expressed for show, is an extremely insincere behavior. 14:05.580 --> 14:10.740 Let us not forget that our Lord, who knows what is hidden in the essence of the hearts, 14:10.740 --> 14:13.740 is the witness of this insincerity. 14:13.740 --> 14:19.060 Those who give thanks in such a state of mind do not realize that Allah knows every intention 14:19.060 --> 14:26.340 they have, every thought they conceal, and the secret of the secret. 14:26.340 --> 14:31.820 It should not be forgotten that sincere believers are thankful even in the most difficult circumstances. 14:31.820 --> 14:35.780 A superficially thinking person may see a reduction in the blessings that the believers 14:35.780 --> 14:36.780 have. 14:36.780 --> 14:41.400 However, the believers know that there is a good in every event and every environment 14:41.400 --> 14:43.620 because they can see the blessing in it. 14:43.620 --> 14:48.220 Allah declares in the Quran that he will try mankind with a little fear, hunger, and loss 14:48.220 --> 14:50.300 of life and property. 14:50.300 --> 14:54.760 In such a situation, the believers rejoice and give thanks, hoping that Allah will reward 14:54.760 --> 14:59.360 them with the blessings of paradise if they are patient with them. 14:59.360 --> 15:03.380 They know that Allah will never burden them with a burden beyond their strength, and they 15:03.380 --> 15:07.780 are patient and grateful with the confidence and submission of this. 15:07.780 --> 15:12.160 Even if they are in hardship and difficulty or in comfort, they wake up every morning 15:12.160 --> 15:17.920 with the same enthusiasm and zeal of faith, thanking Allah and striving for Allah's sake 15:17.920 --> 15:20.280 with the same enthusiasm. 15:20.280 --> 15:27.140 Surah An-Nisa states that Allah will surely reward those who give thanks. 15:27.140 --> 15:29.740 What can Allah gain by your punishment? 15:29.740 --> 15:35.840 If ye are grateful and ye believe, nay, it is Allah that recognizeth all good and knoweth 15:35.840 --> 15:38.200 all things. 15:38.200 --> 15:42.700 The wisdom of these signs and evidences of Allah can only be understood with the understanding 15:42.700 --> 15:46.040 and sensitivity of those who are grateful. 15:46.040 --> 15:50.300 Ungrateful and insensitive people cannot understand the wisdom of Allah's verses and do not even 15:50.300 --> 15:57.420 realize them. 15:57.420 --> 16:00.540 Allah has constantly advised the prophets to be grateful. 16:00.540 --> 16:04.860 For example, it is reported in a verse that Moses was told, 16:04.860 --> 16:12.100 Allah said, O Moses, I have chosen thee above other men. 16:12.100 --> 16:17.460 By the mission I have given thee, and the words I have spoken to thee. 16:17.460 --> 16:24.340 Make then the revelation which I give thee, and be of those who give thanks. 16:24.340 --> 16:29.340 The fifteenth verse of Surah Al-Ahkaf shows the importance of gratitude and the example 16:29.340 --> 16:37.920 of a believer asking Allah to be grateful for his blessings in his prayer. 16:37.920 --> 16:41.000 We have enjoined on mankindness to his parents. 16:41.000 --> 16:45.540 In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. 16:45.540 --> 16:52.980 The carrying of the child to his weaning is a period of thirty months, at length when 16:52.980 --> 16:57.500 he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years. 16:57.500 --> 17:03.200 He says, O my Lord, grant me that I may be grateful for thy favor which thou hast bestowed 17:03.200 --> 17:08.420 upon me and upon both my parents, and that I may work righteousness such as thou mayest 17:08.420 --> 17:12.060 approve and be gracious to me in my issue. 17:12.060 --> 17:19.460 Surely have I turned to thee, and truly do I bow to thee in Islam. 17:19.460 --> 17:23.540 Knowing Gratitude 17:23.540 --> 17:28.300 The Qur'an informs us that one of the most important goals of Satan is to distract people 17:28.300 --> 17:33.220 from being thankful. 17:33.220 --> 17:36.820 Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their 17:36.820 --> 17:47.140 left, nor wilt thou find in most of them gratitude for thy mercies. 17:47.140 --> 17:51.820 It will always be one of the main aims of Satan to prevent people from seeing and being 17:51.820 --> 17:56.540 grateful for the blessings of Allah and to make them ignore them. 17:56.540 --> 18:01.300 In order to be able to be grateful, first of all, it is necessary to have the consciousness 18:01.300 --> 18:04.660 to comprehend the importance of gratitude. 18:04.660 --> 18:10.100 A grateful person knows that Allah is the true owner of the blessings he possesses, 18:10.100 --> 18:15.260 and that Allah is the one who gives them to him, and that he knows his helplessness before 18:15.260 --> 18:16.460 Allah. 18:16.460 --> 18:21.300 The gratitude of a person who ignores the greatness and majesty of Allah and cannot 18:21.300 --> 18:29.700 feel this obvious truth in his heart is equally superficial. 18:29.700 --> 18:34.360 People who do not believe or whose faith is weak only remember Allah for a short time 18:34.360 --> 18:39.020 when a calamity is removed, but then they forget that they prayed to Allah and return 18:39.020 --> 18:41.260 to their lives of disbelief. 18:41.260 --> 18:45.800 In the Qur'an, the situation of people who pray when they are afflicted with calamity 18:45.800 --> 18:50.640 and commit polytheism when distress is removed from them is reported as follows. 18:50.640 --> 18:56.720 Say, Who is it that delivereth you from the dark recesses of land and sea, when ye call 18:56.720 --> 18:59.740 upon him in humility and silent terror? 18:59.740 --> 19:08.220 If he only delivers us from these dangers, we vow, we shall truly show our gratitude. 19:08.220 --> 19:13.600 Say it is Allah that delivereth you from these and all other distresses, and yet ye worship 19:13.600 --> 19:17.320 false gods. 19:17.320 --> 19:19.600 There is no limit to gratitude. 19:19.600 --> 19:25.660 Man can use every opportunity he gets as an occasion of gratitude, just like Prophet Ibrahim. 19:25.660 --> 19:29.660 All believers should realize that Allah is the one who gives them food and drink, and 19:29.660 --> 19:32.700 they should be grateful to Allah for this. 19:32.700 --> 19:36.240 There are countless blessings that people benefit from throughout the day but often 19:36.240 --> 19:40.980 do not think about and only realize their value when they lose them. 19:40.980 --> 19:47.660 Allah has given us eyes and ears to realize these blessings and to thank him. 19:47.660 --> 19:51.660 What people should do is to realize these blessings before they are taken away and to 19:51.660 --> 19:55.540 be grateful. 19:55.540 --> 19:59.940 It is he who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when ye knew nothing, and 19:59.940 --> 20:05.580 he gave you hearing, and sight, and intelligence, and affections, that ye may give thanks to 20:05.580 --> 20:07.700 Allah. 20:07.700 --> 20:12.060 It is he who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when ye knew nothing, and 20:12.060 --> 20:17.400 he gave you hearing, and sight, and intelligence, and affections, that ye may give thanks to 20:17.400 --> 20:18.660 Allah. 20:18.660 --> 20:21.660 Allah has foretold this fact in his verses. 20:21.660 --> 20:30.060 It is He who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and 20:30.060 --> 20:34.780 tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear. 20:34.780 --> 20:40.060 And thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek, thus, of the 20:40.060 --> 20:42.820 bounty of Allah, and that ye may be grateful. 20:42.820 --> 20:47.900 Surah An-Nal, 14. 20:47.900 --> 20:53.260 Among his signs is this, that he sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, giving you 20:53.260 --> 21:00.540 a taste of his grace and mercy, that the ships may sail majestically by his command, and 21:00.540 --> 21:05.060 that ye may seek of his bounty, in order that ye may be grateful. 21:05.060 --> 21:10.300 Surah Ar-Rum, 46. 21:10.300 --> 21:15.820 It is Allah who has subjected the sea to you, that ships may sail through it by his command, 21:15.820 --> 21:19.220 that ye may seek of his bounty, and that ye may be grateful. 21:19.220 --> 21:22.660 Surah Al-Jatiyah, 12. 21:22.660 --> 21:27.620 The believer's gratitude for the blessing given to him is a proof that he is entitled 21:27.620 --> 21:29.420 to this blessing. 21:29.420 --> 21:34.780 In this way, not only does he do justice to the blessing, but with Allah's permission, 21:34.780 --> 21:39.340 a path opens in front of him for a higher blessing. 21:39.340 --> 21:44.380 While Allah has declared that he will increase his blessings to his servants who are grateful, 21:44.380 --> 21:51.380 he has also foretold that those who are ungrateful will be responded with punishment. 21:51.380 --> 21:55.620 And remember, your Lord caused to be declared publicly, 21:55.620 --> 21:59.780 If ye are grateful, I will add more favors unto you. 21:59.780 --> 22:04.540 But if ye show ingratitude, truly my punishment is terrible indeed. 22:04.540 --> 22:09.100 Surah Ibrahim, 7. 22:09.100 --> 22:12.900 Being Among the Grateful. 22:12.900 --> 22:14.540 We are surrounded by blessings. 22:14.540 --> 22:18.100 We should ask Allah for understanding in order to realize these blessings. 22:18.100 --> 22:21.620 We should pray to Allah to see the miracles in the creation of these blessings, and to 22:21.620 --> 22:24.180 experience the excitement of these blessings. 22:24.180 --> 22:28.060 The continuous creation of these countless blessings in our lives should not form a habit 22:28.060 --> 22:32.700 of seeing them as ordinary, because it is only by seeing the wonders around him, by 22:32.700 --> 22:36.820 understanding their subtleties and details, that man can have a high level of faith and 22:36.820 --> 22:42.260 appreciate Allah's worth, that is, his superiority, his glory, and his art. 22:42.260 --> 22:45.780 Of course, we also ask Allah for the ability to appreciate him. 22:45.780 --> 22:49.940 Solomon, who was given the office of prophet, asking Allah to inspire him to be grateful 22:49.940 --> 22:52.660 should be an example for all believers. 22:52.660 --> 22:55.780 Because Satan tries to prevent people from being grateful by approaching them from in 22:55.780 --> 23:00.060 front of them, behind them, to their right and to their left, and by tricks such as making 23:00.060 --> 23:05.060 them forget, giving them a sense of familiarity with the blessings and making them ignore 23:05.060 --> 23:06.060 them. 23:06.060 --> 23:10.660 People sometimes regret when a blessing that they consider great or important is taken 23:10.660 --> 23:12.200 away from them. 23:12.200 --> 23:16.880 This bemoaning may magnify the heedlessness into which a person falls and may lead to 23:16.880 --> 23:19.000 rebellion against Allah. 23:19.000 --> 23:25.200 We honor Allah, but those who believe know that Allah is the creator of all things and 23:25.200 --> 23:29.040 he is the true owner of all things. 23:29.040 --> 23:34.680 Humans can possess all this property belonging to God only temporarily in the capacity of 23:34.680 --> 23:35.680 trustees. 23:35.680 --> 23:40.280 It is within the knowledge and discretion of Allah that we may benefit from that blessing 23:40.280 --> 23:44.440 temporarily or that we may never attain it. 23:44.440 --> 23:49.000 What we need to do is to thank our Lord for the countless other blessings he has given 23:49.000 --> 24:06.920 us, knowing that everything we have has been given to us with wisdom. 24:06.920 --> 24:12.800 The favors given to human beings are not due to any superiority or characteristic in them, 24:12.800 --> 24:15.720 but only as a blessing and a test. 24:15.720 --> 24:20.840 It is not given to be proud, but to realize the blessings and be grateful. 24:20.840 --> 24:26.080 If this is not understood, the property, which is one of these blessings, will not bring 24:26.080 --> 24:31.520 happiness and salvation, both in this world and in the hereafter. 24:31.520 --> 24:37.720 Property is given to be used for the sake of Allah, not to accumulate and pile it up. 24:37.720 --> 24:46.800 Allah declares the end of those who do not do so in the Quran as follows. 24:46.800 --> 24:50.760 And let not those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah hath given them of 24:50.760 --> 24:54.120 his grace think that it is good for them. 24:54.120 --> 24:56.320 Nay, it will be the worse for them. 24:56.320 --> 25:00.880 Soon shall the things which they covetously withheld be tied to their necks like a twisted 25:00.880 --> 25:03.680 collar on the day of judgment. 25:03.680 --> 25:08.040 To Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is well acquainted 25:08.040 --> 25:13.800 with all that ye do. 25:13.800 --> 25:18.240 A believer enjoys all the blessings of this world within the limits of the Quran, but 25:18.240 --> 25:23.380 he never forgets Allah, the hereafter and living according to the morals of the Quran. 25:23.380 --> 25:28.380 No matter how many opportunities such as luxury, splendor, money, and power he has, this does 25:28.380 --> 25:34.660 not cause him to become lax, spoiled, arrogant in short, to abandon the morality of the Quran. 25:34.660 --> 25:38.580 Because he realizes that all of this is a blessing from Allah as a trial, and that he 25:38.580 --> 25:41.060 can take it back if Allah wishes. 25:41.060 --> 25:45.420 He keeps in mind that the blessings in this world are temporary and limited, that he is 25:45.420 --> 25:49.660 tested with these blessings, and that the real ones are in heaven. 25:49.660 --> 25:54.200 For a person who lives the Quranic morality, worldly blessings such as wealth, property 25:54.680 --> 25:59.000 are only a means for him to get closer to Allah and to be grateful. 25:59.000 --> 26:02.920 According to him, having the blessings of the world, which he knows he benefits from 26:02.920 --> 26:06.080 temporarily, is never the main goal. 26:06.080 --> 26:10.360 For example, in a house, which is one of the longest lasting blessings that can be used 26:10.360 --> 26:14.960 in the life of the world, a person will be able to live for an average of 70, 80 years 26:14.960 --> 26:16.120 at most. 26:16.120 --> 26:20.120 At the end of his earthly life, he will leave his beloved house in the world, which he has 26:20.120 --> 26:22.560 worked all his life to own. 26:22.560 --> 26:28.100 Wealth means a final separation between us and all the blessings of this world. 26:28.100 --> 26:33.320 The believer knows that Allah is the true and sole owner of the favors given to him 26:33.320 --> 26:35.720 and that they come only from him. 26:35.720 --> 26:42.140 He does his best to express his gratitude, satisfaction, and appreciation to our Lord, 26:42.140 --> 26:45.060 the creator of these blessings. 26:45.060 --> 26:46.760 As it is stated in the verse, 26:52.560 --> 27:09.880 All the blessings that Allah offers us have a purpose. 27:09.880 --> 27:14.080 Blessings should direct the user of the blessing towards Allah, because everything given requires 27:14.080 --> 27:15.980 gratitude in return. 27:15.980 --> 27:20.240 It is necessary to give the maximum and most sincere gratitude to Allah, who gives the 27:20.240 --> 27:23.640 best blessings to human beings unceasingly. 27:23.640 --> 27:27.760 Gratitude is not only a great worship, but also protects man from becoming unruly. 27:27.760 --> 27:31.280 Because when there is wealth or power in the soul of man, there is an inclination to become 27:31.280 --> 27:33.760 cruel, tyrannical, and unscrupulous. 27:33.760 --> 27:37.420 When some people become rich and have good opportunities, they begin to forget their 27:37.420 --> 27:40.380 weakness and become arrogant. 27:40.380 --> 27:42.320 Gratitude prevents this rampant behavior. 27:42.320 --> 27:46.920 The grateful person knows that Allah is the giver of every blessing he receives. 27:46.920 --> 27:52.060 He is obliged to use this blessing in the way of Allah, in the way our Lord wishes. 27:52.060 --> 27:56.920 This is the real reason for the humility and maturity of prophets such as David and Solomon, 27:56.920 --> 27:59.440 who were given great authority, greatness, and sovereignty. 27:59.440 --> 28:04.040 Karun, who became unruly because of the property given to him, did not give thanks to our Lord 28:04.040 --> 28:07.440 as he should, and he met with a bitter end. 28:07.440 --> 28:09.640 Gratitude is a very important worship. 28:09.640 --> 28:14.360 All the messengers, especially our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, are an 28:14.360 --> 28:17.480 important example for the believers in this respect. 28:17.480 --> 28:21.880 Our duty is to take the morals of the prophets as an example for ourselves, to live a life 28:21.880 --> 28:26.480 that is aware of all the blessings that Allah has bestowed, to be among those who are grateful 28:26.480 --> 28:32.680 at every moment, and to strongly avoid being ungrateful. 28:44.360 --> 28:51.360 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.