Do we thank God enough?
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[35:15] O people, you are the ones who need GOD, while GOD is in no need for anyone, the Most Praiseworthy.
Being appreciative is a process and includes understanding that everything comes from God, and that God controls everything. We have to love God and value Him more than anything else.
[2:165] Yet, some people set up idols to rival GOD, and love them as if they are GOD. Those who believe love GOD the most. If only the transgressors could see themselves when they see the retribution! They will realize then that all power belongs to GOD alone, and that GOD’s retribution is awesome.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38). (See also Deut. 6:4-5)
The word “love” means “to appreciate” or “to value.” But most people fail to value God because they do not understand who God is, and what His qualities or attributes are.
[22:74] They do not value GOD as He should be valued. GOD is the Most Powerful, the Almighty.
God is not an old man in the sky. God is not just a Creator helplessly watching His creation going out of control. God is not too busy for the needs of His creatures because He has to worry about the big stuff. God is not too far to hear us or see us. God does not err. God does not get tired or need rest. God is not limited to time and space. God is not unaware of what is happening in our lives or in the universe, not even for a moment. Unfortunately some people diminish God attributing human characteristics to Him.
If we want to truly appreciate God, we need to fully recognize God’s
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attributes, and get to really know Him. God’s greatness and power are beyond our comprehension, but He describes His attributes in the Quran in detail so that we have no question about who God is and what He is capable of.
Some Attributes of God
[2:255] GOD: there is no other god besides Him, the Living, the Eternal. Never a moment of unawareness or slumber overtakes Him. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Who could intercede with Him, except in accordance with His will? He knows their past, and their future. No one attains any knowledge, except as He wills. His dominion encompasses the heavens and the earth, and ruling them never burdens Him. He is the Most High, the Great.
[59:22] He is the One GOD; there is no other god beside Him. Knower of all secrets and declarations. He is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[59:23] He is the One GOD; there is no other god beside Him. The King, the Most Sacred, the Peace, the Most Faithful, the Supreme, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the Most Dignified. GOD be glorified; far above having partners.
[59:24] He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.
[6:103] No visions can encompass Him, but He encompasses all visions. He is the Compassionate, the Cognizant.
[39:67] They can never fathom the greatness of GOD. The whole earth is within HIS FIST on the Day of Resurrection. In fact, the universes are folded within His right hand. Be He glorified; He is much too high above needing any partners.
[64:4] He knows everything in the heavens and the earth, and He knows
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everything you conceal and everything you declare. GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
[6:59] With Him are the keys to all secrets; none knows them except He. He knows everything on land and in the sea. not a leaf falls without His knowledge. Nor is there a grain in the depths of the soil. Nor is there anything wet or dry, that is not recorded in a profound record.
These are only some selected verses. To truly appreciate the Almighty God and His system, the best thing is to read the Quran from cover to cover, as commanded by God (73:4).
In conclusion, we should take every opportunity to thank God for His blessings. There is always something to be thankful for, even in difficult times. If we are appreciative, God gives us more. If we are not appreciative, the loss is ours as a consequence of our choice.
[14:7] Your Lord has decreed: “the more you thank me, the more I give you.” But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.
Abdullah
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Comments from Submitters
Salaam (Peace)…,
It was a pleasure to hear from you. I seriously felt so uplifted to know there are people who did think about all these matters all these while. It did not take me long to see the Qur’an’s view when it speaks so directly to us. I myself decided to choose my understanding because it just felt right and my instincts felt God was truly guiding me best compared to those Scholars who have misguided all our people from the truth. May God win this race for us. Amin (Amen).
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