Muslim Girl's Thanksgiving

 

As-Salam-u-Alaikum wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh ("Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and his Blessings")!

Thankfulness and gratitude are important concepts in Islam that holds great significance in the lives of Muslims. These virtues are deeply rooted in the teachings of the religion and plays a crucial role in the spiritual and personal development of individuals. Previously, we talked about whether or not Muslims can celebrate Halloween. But how does that apply to non-religious holidays? In this blog post, we will explore the concept of thankfulness in Islam, its importance, and how it is practiced by Muslims

Gratitude towards Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala

Thankfulness in Islam is rooted in the recognition of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's blessings and expressing gratitude towards Him. Muslims believe that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and He bestows countless blessings upon His creation. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, the evening sunsets to post-rain rainbows, true love’s kiss to a best friend’s kindness, every aspect of our lives is a gift from Allah. Muslims are encouraged to be grateful for these blessings, both big and small, and acknowledge that they come from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's mercy and love.

Expressing gratitude towards Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is not limited to words alone. Islam tells us that we should recognize and utilize these blessings in a way that pleases Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and benefits others. Muslims are encouraged to use their blessings in charitable acts, helping those in need, and being mindful of their responsibilities towards others. By doing so, they are not only showing gratitude towards Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala but also fulfilling their duty as stewards of His blessings.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of gratitude and states, "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]." (Ibrahim, 7). This verse highlights that thankfulness is reciprocated by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala with even more blessings.

Thankfulness in Daily Life

Thankfulness in Islam is not limited to expressing gratitude towards Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Muslims are encouraged to appreciate the blessings of family, friends, health, and other aspects of life. This even includes being thankful for the challenges and trials that come our way, as they are opportunities for growth and a means to strengthen our faith.

The practice of thankfulness in daily life is not only beneficial for the individual but also for the community as a whole. Gratefulness towards those in your community has us recognizing the value each of us bring to the table, it fosters a sense of empathy among each other. Additionally, expressing gratitude towards others strengthens bonds and encourages acts of kindness and compassion. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us “So remember Me; I will remember you. Be thankful to Me, and never ungrateful.” (Al-Baqarah, 152).

A Muslim’s Thanksgiving

As I said in Can Muslims Trick or Treat, Muslims cannot celebrate other religions’ holidays. However, Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday. There are traditionalist Muslims, those that believe only the two Eids should be celebrated, no cultural holidays, no birthdays. Either way, adherence to this perspective varies from Muslim to Muslim. In my research, I heard opinions ranging from Thanksgiving is permissible all the way to it being considered haram, or strictly impermissible. When experts and laymen have such vast difference of opinion, it reminds me of an ayat, or verse, from the Quran:

“He is the One Who has revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ the Book, of which some verses are precise—they are the foundation of the Book—while others are elusive. Those with deviant hearts follow the elusive verses seeking ˹to spread˺ doubt through their ˹false˺ interpretations—but none grasps their ˹full˺ meaning except Allah.” (Ali ‘Imran, 7).

In this ayat, we are told not to fight over or lose sleep on the things we do not truly know the answer to. Only Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala truly knows the answers to everything, and if He wanted us to have strict rules, He would have given them to us, like He did with dietary restrictions. In these situations, my advice, my non-imam non-mufti advice, is to do what feels right to you. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala gave all of us a sense of right and wrong. If participating in a day that expresses joy, happiness, thankfulness, and community feels right by you, I invite you to do that!

Conclusion

Thankfulness holds a central place in Islam and is considered a fundamental virtue for Muslims. It encompasses gratitude towards Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and appreciation for the blessings in daily life. By cultivating a mindset of thankfulness, Muslims fulfill their religious obligations, but even more so, we get to experience a sense of contentment and joy in their lives thatg comes from pure gratitute and thankfulness for our life. Let us all strive to be more grateful and express our thankfulness to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and those around us, for it is through gratitude that we unlock the abundant blessings of our Creator.