Quran Garden

Ever paused and noticed the countless blessings from God that envelop you every day? They're there, abundant and beautiful, just waiting for your gratitude. Let's uncover these treasures, awaken your gratitude, and embrace the abundance that's truly yours.

Session 12

Chapter 1

Verses 2 & 3

a continuation

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

 الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

All praise is due to God, Lord of the worlds; the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent.

(Chapter 1:Verses 2 and 3)

God created the heavens and the earth, air and water, plants and animals, and all the necessities of life before creating us.  He deposited the nourishment for every living being on earth, sustaining life until the Day of Resurrection.  These abundant blessings were here to welcome and embrace humanity upon its arrival.  Isn't this a remarkable blessing that deserves our deep gratitude? 

Likewise, God created Paradise before He created Adam, peace be upon him, so he may not be exhausted or miserable.  When Adam and Eve descended to earth, the bounties had already preceded them.  They immediately found food, drink, life's necessities, and enjoyment.  Had these bounties not existed or been created –even shortly– afterward, then man would have suffered and may have perished while awaiting them.

Allah's divine gifts also cradled you from the moment of creation.  Even before you existed, your mother's womb was undergoing changes to receive and sustain you.  As a fetus, you had all the nourishment and protection necessary for your development for the duration of the pregnancy.  Shortly after your birth, Allah placed milk in the breast of your mother, which emerged at the time of hunger, ceased when you had your fill, and then stopped altogether when the period of suckling was over.  As a newborn, you had loving parents who provided for you until you were able to sustain yourself.  All this happened before you reached the age of religious duty and obligation and before you could say الحمد لله   ("all praise is due to God").  As you see, the blessings always precede and welcome the one who is blessed.  Therefore, we must always express gratitude for God's bounties.

Allah's gifts are infinite and boundless to all His creations.  The sun extends life and warmth to us without any effort on our part.  Rain comes down, and water springs out of the ground for our benefit.  God provided us with night and day so we can sleep, rest, then strive for a better life.  Since we did not create any of the bounties that are constantly at our service, isn't it befitting that we say الحمد لله? 

Everything in our magnificent universe is a sign that points to a greater power.  The sun, moon, stars, and earth transcend our capabilities.  All around you, crops grow from the ground and, despite being sown in one soil and watered by the same water, each has its own color, shape, smell, and taste.  All these signs invite you to study them and offer undeniable proof of an innovative Creator.

Despite the recent advances in all sciences, no one can claim that he or she has created the sun or given the earth its soil or atmosphere.  No one can claim to have created him or herself or anyone else.  And, since no person or group can claim to be the creator of the universe, the matter is settled by default to the One Who has claimed and provided proof:  God Almighty.  All praise be to Him, because He has instilled within us our inquisitive nature and then supported it with rational, intellectual evidence through His signs in the universe.   

Despite all this, we tend to praise the creation and forget the Creator!  When, for example, you see a beautiful flower or an attractive gem, you tend to say, "What a beautiful flower!" and "What a fabulous gem!"  But the object you just praised did not grant itself beauty: the gem has no power in the delicate arrangement of its crystals.  It is Allah Who has instilled order and beauty in everything.  So, give credit where credit is due and say 'الحمد لله'.

Now, let's consider another significant blessing that calls for our gratitude: the gift of God's message to humanity.  The beauty, grandeur, and precision of creation indicated to the thoughtful mind that there is a greater power but left the mind unable to say who that power is or what the Creator might want from us.  This is why God sent His messengers.  This divine guidance revealed that it is the Almighty who is our Creator.  Prophets and messengers helped us understand that the Creator is Allah, and helped us bridge the gap where our intellect has reached its limit in inquiring about Him.  This bounty surely deserves our deepest gratitude and praise.

Furthermore, God's messages provided legislation to guard our way of life.  Allah showed us the right path and how to distance ourselves from corruption.  As you look around, you find injustice in every human-made system.  In communist countries, power and luxury are the monopolies of their respective central committees, while the rest of the population leads a miserable, deprived life.  The situation is not much different in capitalist systems, where capitalists exploit resources, reap the benefits, and give the bare minimum to others.  On the other hand, God does not discriminate against any of us, nor does He prefer anyone over the other except by piety and good deeds.  He taught us that the proper way of life rests in constraining our desires in exchange for justice in this world and immense reward in the hereafter. 

Laws set by people are often rooted in self-interest.  Throughout history, individuals have exploited one another in pursuit of greed, whether for wealth, treasure, or natural resources.  God, on the other hand, does not need anything we have.  To Him belong the depositories of everything, as He states in this verse:

And there is not a thing but We have the vast treasures of it; We do not send it down but according to a proper and prescribed measure.  (15:21)

More importantly, God loves when you ask from His bounties and seek His help.  By being a servant of Allah, you guard yourself against humiliation and exploitation in this world.  How?  Consider this common scenario: When you need something from your boss or someone in a position of authority, they might finally agree to a 10-minute meeting after you've asked repeatedly.  However, during the meeting, they might get a bit annoyed by your requests and rush to wrap things up quickly.  God's door, on the other hand, is always open.  You can stand before Him in prayer whenever you desire.  Raise your hands in supplication any time you like, and ask whatever you wish, for God will grant if it is in your best interest, withhold from you when it is to your detriment.  He says,

When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed nearmost.  I answer the supplicant's call when he calls Me.  So let them respond to Me, and let them have faith in Me, so that they may fare rightly. (2:186)

And in another Aya,

Your Lord says, "Call on Me, and I will answer you; those who are too proud to serve Me will enter Hell humiliated." (40:60)

Allah knows what you conceal within yourself, so He often gives you without asking.  His grants and favors warrant praise, and their withholding also warrants praise.  God says in a sacred narration, "Whoever is too preoccupied by My remembrance to ask My favors, I shall give them the best I give those who ask."

God's blessings never cease, and His treasures never run out.  Every time you ask Him, He has more and more to offer.  A poet once wrote:

It is sufficient pride for me that I am a servant who is

welcomed before my Lord without an appointment

although He is in His divine sanctuary,

I can meet Him whenever and wherever I wish.

We say from the bottom of our hearts: All praise is due to God.  الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِين