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Every moment of our lives is filled with countless blessings from Allah, yet how often do we pause to recognize and appreciate them? The verse:

"وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ"
"And as for the blessings of your Lord, proclaim them." (Surah Ad-Duḥā 93:11)

teaches us an important principle: gratitude is feeling in the heart, expressing it and sharing with others.  

Many times, we overlook small blessings in pursuit of greater things, but this verse reminds us that being aware of Allah’s favors and speaking of them is a means of gratitude and an act of worship.

• Are we mindful of Allah’s blessings in our daily lives?
• Do we speak about them in a way that acknowledges His generosity?
• Are we using them to benefit ourselves and others?

This verse invites us to reflect, appreciate, and express gratitude for everything we have—whether it’s our health, knowledge, faith, provision, opportunities, or even the trials that shape us.

  Background: The Context of the Revelation

This verse is found in Surah Ad-Duḥā, a chapter revealed to console the Prophet ﷺ during a time when revelation had temporarily ceased. The Quraysh mocked him, saying that his Lord had abandoned him. In response, Allah reassured His beloved ﷺ:

"مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ"
"Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He detested you." (Ad-Duḥā 93:3)

Allah then reminded the Prophet ﷺ of the blessings He had bestowed upon him:

• "Did He not find you an orphan and give you refuge?"
• "Did He not find you lost and guide you?"
• "Did He not find you in need and enrich you?"

And then came the command:

"وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ"

This verse was a reminder to the Prophet ﷺ and to us: No matter how tough life seems, Allah’s blessings continue to surround us, and we must recognize and proclaim them.

According to Imam Al-Qurtubī, this command means to spread awareness of Allah’s favours through thankfulness and praise. Ibn Kathīr explains that one of the ways to show gratitude is to speak about Allah’s blessings while acknowledging that all good comes from Him.

Different levels of Expressing Gratitude

Talking to Yourself: Acknowledging Allah’s Blessings in Your Heart

Before sharing blessings with others, we must first recognize and internalize them. This means:

✅ Reflecting on Allah’s favors, both visible and hidden.
✅ Reminding ourselves that every blessing—big or small—comes from Allah.
✅ Avoiding self-pity by shifting focus from what we lack to what we have.

Allah has bestowed upon us limitless blessings, but we are not aware of them or we event belittle them. Making this awareness is the first step.  Allah says:

Allah reminds us in multiple places in the Qur'an:

"وَإِنْ تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ"
"And if you were to count the favors of Allah, you would not be able to enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Surah An-Naḥl 16:18)

This verse is a powerful reminder of Allah’s endless favors upon us—blessings that we cannot fully grasp or count. Every breath, every heartbeat, every opportunity, every moment of peace, and even the unseen blessings we take for granted are part of Allah’s mercy upon us.

Just reflect on the following hadith, we come understand how blessed we are.

Narrated by Salamah ibn ʿUbaydillah ibn Miḥṣan al-Khaṭmī from his father, the Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever wakes up in the morning secure in his home, healthy in his body, and has food for his day, it is as if he has been given the entire world."
(Narrated by al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad, 300, Ibn Mājah 4141)

It reminds us that the greatest blessings in life are often the ones we take for granted.

Imam al-Munāwī (رحمه الله) explains this hadith:

"This means that whoever Allah grants the combination of good health in his body, peace of mind wherever he goes, sufficiency in his daily sustenance, and safety for his family, then indeed Allah has gathered for him all the blessings. Even those who own the entire world do not necessarily possess more than this. Therefore, he should not begin his day except with gratitude—by using these blessings in obedience to the Bestower (Allah), and not in disobedience. Nor should he ever cease remembering Him."

(End of quote from Fayḍ al-Qadīr 6/88)

As of 2025, an alarming portion of the world’s 8.2 billion people lack access to life’s most basic necessities. Around 733 million people are undernourished, struggling daily without enough food, while 2.8 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. In terms of health, nearly 4.5 billion people lack full coverage of essential health services, leaving them vulnerable to treatable diseases and financial hardship. Additionally, over 318 million people are homeless, lacking the safety and security of a stable shelter. These stark numbers remind us of the immense value of the blessings of food, health, and safety—gifts that millions are deprived of yet often go unacknowledged by those who enjoy them daily.

Talking to Others: Sharing Blessings Without Arrogance

Not only should we acknowledge blessings internally, but we should also speak about them positively in our conversations—without arrogance or boastfulness. Many people tend to negate or belittle Allah’s favour in front of others and do not appreciate the boundless blessings of Allah.

✅ Sharing Allah’s favours with those you trust, as an act of gratitude.
✅ Encouraging others by talking about how Allah has helped you.
✅ Never belittling your blessings or stick on complaining always

The Prophet ﷺ taught that if a person does not appreciate the little things, they will not be able to truly appreciate the bigger favors of Allah:

"من لم يشكر القليل، لم يشكر الكثير، ومن لم يشكر الناس، لم يشكر الله، والتحدث بالنعم شكر، وتركه كفر، والجماعة رحمة، والفرقة عذاب."
"Whoever does not show gratitude for small blessings will not show gratitude for great ones. Whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah. Speaking of blessings is gratitude, while ignoring them is ingratitude. Unity is mercy, and division is punishment."
(Narrated by Al-Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr, reported by Al-Shuʿabī)

The command "وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ" encourages us to speak about Allah’s blessings, but with wisdom and sincerity.

✅ Imam Al-Qurtubī explains:

"Speak about Allah’s blessings with gratitude and praise. Talking about them and acknowledging them is an act of shukr (gratitude).”

✅ Al-Ḥasan bin ʿAlī رضي الله عنهما said:

"If you receive something good or do a good deed, then share it with those among your brothers whom you trust."

✅ ʿAmr ibn Maymūn said:

"When a man meets a trustworthy friend, he should say: 'Allah blessed me with the ability to pray such and such number of rakʿahs last night.'”

• Sharing blessings should be done with sincerity, not to boast or seek praise.
• Not everyone needs to know everything about our blessings—we share with those who will appreciate it and encourage us further.
• Talking about acts of worship (like night prayers, Qur'an recitation) can inspire others—but should be done without riyaa' (showing off).

Expressing Gratitude Through Actions

True gratitude is not just words, but also actions. We must use Allah’s blessings in a way that pleases Him. Allah love’s to see the effects of his blessing on his servants. Presenting one-self well, utilizing those blessing and sharing it with others are part of expressing gratitude through actions.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَمِيلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ وَيُحِبُّ أَنْ يَرَى أَثَرَ نِعْمَتِهِ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ"
"Indeed, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. He loves to see the effects of His blessings on His servant."
(Musnad Aḥmad)

The Prophet ﷺ saw a man wearing torn and ragged clothing, despite owning wealth. He asked him:

"ألك مال؟"
"Do you have wealth?"

The man responded:

"نعم، يا رسول الله، من كل المال."
"Yes, O Messenger of Allah, I have all kinds of wealth."

The Prophet ﷺ then advised him:

"إذا آتاك الله مالًا فلير أثره عليك."
"If Allah has given you wealth, let its effect be seen on you."
(Reported by An-Nasā’ī)

The Prophet ﷺ taught that whenever we receive something, we should respond with either a return gift or praise:

"من أعطي عطاءً فوجد فليجز به، فإن لم يجد فليثنِ به، فمن أثنى به فقد شكره، ومن كتمه فقد كفره."
"Whoever receives a gift and is able to return it, let him do so. If he cannot, then let him praise it. For whoever praises a blessing has shown gratitude, and whoever hides it has been ungrateful."
(Narrated by Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh)

• If you receive a favor, acknowledge it—even if it’s as simple as thanking someone sincerely.
• Hiding blessings out of neglect or complaint is a form of ingratitude (kufr al-niʿmah).
• Gratitude is not just to Allah—it extends to people who do good to us as well.

Speaking About Blessings Increases Them

The Prophet ﷺ taught us that gratitude not only preserves blessings but also increases them:

"لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ"
"If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]." (Surah Ibrāhīm 14:7)

One of the best ways to express gratitude is by speaking positively about Allah’s blessings.

The Prophet ﷺ said:  "Whoever receives a blessing but does not show it, he is like an enemy to the blessings of Allah." (Bukhārī)

Allah reminds us in multiple places in the Qur'an:

"وَإِنْ تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ"
"And if you were to count the favors of Allah, you would not be able to enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Surah An-Naḥl 16:18)

This verse is a powerful reminder of Allah’s endless favors upon us—blessings that we cannot fully grasp or count. Every breath, every heartbeat, every opportunity, every moment of peace, and even the unseen blessings we take for granted are part of Allah’s mercy upon us.

This verse is mentioned in two places in the Qur’an, with different endings:

Surah Ibrāhīm 14:34 – "إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ"

• Here, Allah criticizes mankind’s tendency towards injustice and ingratitude.
• Many people forget Allah’s blessings and use them in disobedience instead of gratitude.

Surah An-Naḥl 16:18 – "إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ"

• Here, Allah reminds us that despite our shortcomings, He remains forgiving and merciful.
• Even if we fail to fully appreciate His blessings, Allah still continues to provide for us.

✅ Imam Ibn Kathīr explains: If Allah held us accountable for every blessing and required complete gratitude, we would fail to do so. Yet, Allah does not punish us for our shortcomings in gratitude—rather, He is "غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ" (Forgiving and Merciful), accepting even the smallest acknowledgment of His favors.

✅ Imam Ibn Jarīr adds: If a person turns to Allah in repentance, Allah forgives their negligence in gratitude. This verse serves as a warning against ingratitude while also offering hope to those who sincerely repent and try to be grateful.

A Practical Way to Be Grateful Always

The Prophet ﷺ provided one of the most profound principles for living a life of gratitude and contentment when he said:

"انظروا إلى من هو أسفلَ منكم ولا تنظروا إلى من هو فوقَكم، فإنه أجدَرُ أن لا تزدَروا نعمةَ اللهِ عليكم."
(Look at those who are below you, and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more likely to keep you from belittling the blessings of Allah upon you.)
(Narrated by Abu Huraira, Tirmidhi 2513, Sahih)

A Perspective That Nurtures Gratitude

This golden advice from the Prophet ﷺ teaches us how to shift our perspective when it comes to worldly possessions and life’s circumstances:

✅ Looking at those who have less makes us appreciate what we have.
✅ Looking at those who have more can lead to envy, dissatisfaction, and ingratitude.

When we constantly compare ourselves to those who have more wealth, status, or luxury, we fail to appreciate our own blessings. On the other hand, when we observe those who have less than us, we naturally develop a sense of gratitude and contentment.

One of the greatest dangers of constantly comparing oneself to those who have more is that it leads to undermining the blessings already present in one’s life. This ingratitude (kufr al-niʿmah) can manifest in:

 Complaining – Always focusing on what is missing rather than what we have.
 Feeling deprived – Thinking "why do others have more than me?"
 Dissatisfaction – Never feeling at peace with what Allah has provided.

This neglect of gratitude can eventually lead to spiritual dissatisfaction, where a person stops appreciating even their health, family, faith, and daily sustenance—which are far greater blessings than wealth.

✅ With a Heart of Gratitude – Speaking about blessings should always include the acknowledgment that they are from Allah, not from our own doing.

✅ To Inspire, Not to Show Off – The intention should be to encourage gratitude in others, not to seek admiration.

✅ In Private, Not Always in Public – Some blessings are best shared with close, trustworthy companions, not openly.

✅ Without Complaints – Saying "I only got this much," or "It’s not as much as others have" is negating Allah’s blessings rather than thanking Him.