All praise to Allah SWT. Thankfulness or shukr holds the highest value and greatest virtue for all Muslims. We should always be thankful to Allah SWT for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Every breath we take is a blessing. Everything that we possess including our family, health, house and wealth have been provided by Allah SWT.
Being thankful or showing gratitude means returning kindness and giving off praise to Allah SWT. Allah is undoubtedly most deserving to be thankful towards. The Almighty has instructed us to thank him and never deny the blessings bestowed upon us. So, it is of utmost importance that we recite duas to thank Allah SWT.
Allah SWT mentions:
“Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless favors on you) and never be ungrateful to Me” (2:152)
Why do we do dua to Allah?
The duas are an important part of every Muslim’s life. We do dua to Allah to seek His help in matters of life, whether it is finding a Muslim life partner, dealing with family problems, starting a business, finding a job, managing risk, or any other situation.
We believe that Allah is the ultimate source of assistance and guidance. By making dua, we open ourselves to His grace and mercy.
What we can learn from Islam about Thanking Allah SWT?
Shukr or thankfulness can be classified into three types, these are:
- Shukr bil-Qalib (Thankfulness in the hearts): It means; we should learn to be grateful deep down from our hearts. Also, we need to have Iman within our hearts.
- Shukr bil-Lisan (Thankfulness using our tongues): This signifies that we are grateful by praising Allah SWT by uttering all his attributes using our tongues.
- Shukr bil-Jawarih (Thankfulness using our limbs): It requires us to be grateful to Allah SWT while using our physical faculties.
The believers who obeyed the commands of Allah SWT and are thankful to their lord are deserving of being called shakoor & shaakir (thankful). These are the Prophets and Messengers (PBUH).
How to thank Allah SWT for accepting dua?
| Arabic – الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ Transliteration – Alhamdulillahil lathee bi ni’matihi tatimmus saalihaat Meaning – All praise and is due only to Allah SWT, the One who, by whose blessing and favor, perfected deeds of virtues are accomplished. |
Any believer who observes his Dua to be granted by Allah SWT should always thank the almighty by reciting the above dua.
Allah SWT said:
| “Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), or a nation, obedient to Allah, Haneef (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al‑Mushrikoon (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and those who joined partners with Allah).121. (He was) thankful for His (Allah’s) favors. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a Straight Path (Islamic Monotheism — neither Judaism nor Christianity)” [16:120, 121]“O offspring of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nûh (Noah)! Verily, he was a grateful slave” [17:3] |
Allah SWT talks about the blessings that he has bestowed on believers. Also, he has strictly commanded all believers to remain grateful for everything he provided them.
Allah SWT mentions:
| “O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah — Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He Whom you worship” [2:172] “And surely, we gave you authority on the earth and appointed for you therein provisions (for your life). Little thanks do you give” [7:10] “And among His Signs is this, that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His Mercy (i.e. rain), and that the ships may sail at His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, in order that you may be thankful” [31:46] |
Allah SWT showered upon us his blessings and forgave us even through our shortcomings. So, we should always remember to be thankful for this.
How to thank Allah SWT for everything?
Allah SWT says:
“And if you would count the favors of Allah, never could you be able to count them. Truly, Allah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful” [16:18]
How to thank Allah SWT for accepting dua?
| Arabic – الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ Transliteration – Alhamdulillahil lathee bi ni’matihi tatimmus saalihaat Meaning – All praise and is due only to Allah SWT, the One who, by whose blessing and favor, perfected deeds of virtues are accomplished. |
10 Duas to Thank Allah SWT
1. Al hamdu lillah (Surah Al Fatiha – 1:2)
Reciting Al hamdu lillah on a regular basis is undoubtedly the best way you can show gratitude towards Allah SWT. It means –
“All praise and shukr goes to Allah SWT”
This was originally quoted in Surah Al Fatiha – Verse 2:
Arabic – ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ Transliteration – “Al hamdu lillahi rabbil alamin” Meaning – “Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds” |
2. Dua to thank Allah SWT for wealth, success and health – Surah Al-Nami – 27:19
This is the dua that Prophet Solomon (PBUH) recited, because he was grateful towards the gracefulness of Allah SWT.
Arabic – فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّنۡ قَوۡلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ اَوۡزِعۡنِىۡۤ اَنۡ اَشۡكُرَ نِعۡمَتَكَ الَّتِىۡۤ اَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلٰى وَالِدَىَّ وَاَنۡ اَعۡمَلَ صَالِحًـا تَرۡضٰٮهُ وَاَدۡخِلۡنِىۡ بِرَحۡمَتِكَ فِىۡ عِبَادِكَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ Meaning – So he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech and said: “My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favors which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves |
The above dua, quoted from the holy Quran, states that
The wealth and success which we have been provided is a test by Allah SWT. We need to be grateful towards Allah SWT as he has blessed us with success and wealth.
3. Dua for being thankful to Allah SWT – Surah Az-Zumar – 39:22
Arabic – بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِين Transliteration – “bali l-laha fa-uʿ’bud wakun mina l-shākirīn” Meaning – “Nay! Allah but worship and be among the thankful ones.” |
4. Dua to seek Allah SWT for righteous children – Surah Al-Ahqaaf – 46:15
Arabic – رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ Transliteration – “Rabbi awzi’nee an ashkura ni’mataka allatee an’amta ‘alayya wa’ala walidayya waan a’mala salihan tardahu waaslih lee fee thurriyyatee innee tubtu ilayka wainnee mina almuslimeena” Meaning – “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.” |
The above supplication needs to be recited by men who cross their 40’s. It states the necessity of being kind towards one’s parents. Men who are 40 and above become aware of their thoughts as well as actions. So, this makes them a lot wiser.
5. Surah Al-Jathiyah – 45:36-37
Arabic – فَلِلّٰهِ الۡحَمۡدُ رَبِّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَرَبِّ الۡاَرۡضِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَوَلَهُ الۡكِبۡرِيَآءُ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ وَهُوَ الۡعَزِيۡزُ الۡحَكِيۡمُ Transliteration – Falillahil hamdu rabbis samawati warabb’il ardi rabbil ‘alameen. Walahol kibria’o fis samawati wal ard wahowal azizul hakeem Meaning – Then, to Allah belongs [all] praise – Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the worlds. And to Him belongs [all] grandeur within the heavens and the earth, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. |
6. Surah Al-Qasas – 28:70
Arabic – وَهُوَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِي الْأُولَىٰ وَالْآخِرَةِ وَلَهُ الْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُون Transliteration – wahuwa l-lahu lā ilāha illā huwa lahu l-ḥamdu fī l-ūlā wal-ākhirati walahu l-ḥuk’mu wa-ilayhi tur’jaʿūn Meaning – And He (is) Allah; (there is) no god but He. To Him (are due) all praises in the first and the last. And for Him (is) the Decision, and to Him you will be returned. |
7. Dua to perform in the morning for praising Allah SWT
It was narrated by Abu Dawood –
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once mentioned, anyone reciting this dua shall have absolute obligation to Allah SWT through that day.
Transliteration – Allahomma ma asbaha bi min ni’matin aob bi’ahadin min khalkhika faminka wahdak. La sharika lak. Falakal hamdu walakash shukr. Meaning – Oh Allah! Whatever blessings I or any of Your creatures rose up with, is only from You. You have no partner, so all grace and thanks are due to You. Repeat x 3 |
8. Dua to thank Allah SWT for his favors and blessings
Transliteration – “Allahumma inee Zalamtu nafsee zulman katheeraan, walaa yaghfirud-dunuuba illa anta, faghfir lee maghfiratam-min ‘indika warhamneeinnaka antal ghafuururaheem” Meaning – “O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself and no one forgives sins but You. So, grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me. Surely, you are Forgiving, Merciful.” – Bukhari. Ameen! |
9. Dua recited by Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) when Allah SWT blessed him with pious and obedient children (Ayah Ibrahim: 14:39)
Arabic – الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي وَهَبَ لِي عَلَى الْكِبَرِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَسَمِيعُ الدُّعَاء Transliteration – al-ḥamdu lillahi alladhī wahaba lī ʿalā l-kibari is’māʿīla wa-is’ḥāqa inna rabbī lasamīʿu l-duʿā Meaning – All the Praise (is) for Allah the One Who has granted me in the old age Ismail and Ishaq. Indeed, my Lord (is) All-Hearer (of) the prayer. |
10. Dua to recite upon hearing a good news
Arabic – الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ Transliteration – Alhamdulillahil lathee bi ni’matihi tatimmus saalihaat Alhamdulillah ‘alaa kuli haal Meaning – All praise and thanks are only for Allah, the One who, by His blessing and favor, perfected goodness/good works are accomplished.All praise and thanks are only for Allah in all circumstances. |
Conclusion
Why must we recite duas to thank Allah SWT? As the almighty has already granted more than we have asked for, so, out of gratefulness, we should thank him. Allah SWT knows what is best for all of us. We perform duas, when we need Allah’s guidance. Relying on him will cause our duas to be answered. Reciting duas can be another way of showing our shukr (thankfulness) towards Allah SWT. No matter whatever anyone you’re going through, you should never forget to recite duas.