What Is the Importance of Gratitude (Shukr) in Islam?

Last updated on September 29th, 2026 at 09:57 am

The Islamic faith revolves around the concept of the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, which is called “Tawheed”. The faith of a believer starts with the declaration that there is no deity except Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and that Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ is His Messenger. This declaration is popularly known as the first and the foremost important of the five pillars of Islam. Declaring Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ as the sole deity or the “Only One” means we acknowledge that He holds the Supreme Authority and Command on the earth and skies, and everything between them. We also admit and acknowledge that everything comes in life, such as happiness or sadness, wealth or poverty, health or diseases, stress or relief, and hardships or comfort, only with the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.

Islam teaches us to thank Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ for whatever comes in our life, whether good or bad, because the good is reward from Him, whereas bad is a kind of trial. When good things happen in our lives, we need to express gratitude, and when a trial comes our way, we should show patience. These two gestures are known as “Shukr” and “Sabr” (Gratitude and Patience) in Islamic terminology. This core Islamic belief is exquisitely explained by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, as reported in Hadith 2999 of Sahih Muslim:

Translation – Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.

While this Hadith describes the subtle difference between gratitude (Shukr) and patience (Sabr), it also teaches us that everything comes our way from the Only One, Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Hence, thanking Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is not just a gesture of gratitude; it is also a sort of complete submission to Him. Gratitude is therefore one of the most important qualities of a true Muslim. It is the ability of a believer to recognize Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ blessings, admitting them consciously and sincerely, and additionally, using these blessings with the intention to please Him.

In this article, we will find out why gratitude or Shukr is so important in Islam for Muslims.

The Islamic Viewpoint On Gratitude Or Shukr

Shukr holds great significance in Islam, which is directly associated with the daily life of a Muslim. Every day we receive unlimited blessings from Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, most of which are not even recognized by many of us. But if we reflect upon them, it transpires that none of them would have been possible without Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Will. Islam teaches us to express thankfulness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, as an acknowledgment of His unlimited blessings.

The most common way of thanking Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is to say “Alhamdulillah” ( اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰه), which translates to “all praise is for Allah. But gratitude is not limited to just saying this phrase when something good comes in one’s life; Shukr is a complete manner and the way a believer needs to show gratitude. It is a willful expression of showing gratitude from the core of one’s heart, not limited to just words but must also reflect in one’s actions and attitude.

Many good things in modern life patterns are often taken for granted, and many Muslims fail to comprehend that life would have been miserable without them, such as a glass of fresh water or even the air, without which one cannot live. Islam tells us to reflect upon these Divine blessings, and be consistent in expressing Shukr.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that everything, good or bad, comes from Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The 53^rd verse of Surah An-Nahl narrates:

Translation – Every bounty that you enjoy is from Allah; and whenever any misfortune strikes you, it is to Him that you cry for the removal of your distress.

When a believer accepts and acknowledges that everything comes from Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, it becomes necessary for him to pay gratitude to Him. The concept is further strengthened and clarified in the 152^nd verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, as follows:

Translation – So remember Me, and I will remember you, and give thanks to Me and be not ungrateful.

So, remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, with the expression of Shukr or gratitude, is one of His direct Commands for believers. That’s the need and importance of gratitude in Islam. Gratitude is even made a compulsory part of worshipping Him, as Commanded in the 172^nd verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.

Translation – O Believers, if you are true worshippers of Allah alone, eat without hesitation of the good and clean things wherewith We have provided you and be grateful to Allah.

Three Stages Of Gratitude

Gratitude, in Islamic teachings, has three dimensions, which are also interconnected with each other, i.e., heart, tongue, and actions. In fact, the essence of gratitude lies in practicing and connecting all its three stages in life.

1. Gratitude or Shukr of the Heart– The first stage of gratitude is to recognize and accept from the core of one’s heart that all good things in life are only made possible with the Divine Blessings. He must not become proud that these good things are the result of his personal efforts. He must remember and accept the truth that health, wealth, intelligence, success, worldly status and powers, everything comes from Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
2. Gratitude of Tongue (Words) – The second stage of gratitude is to express it by tongue (by words). The best and the most popular way of gratitude of tongue is to say “alhamdulillah”, which translates to “all praise is for Allah”.
3. Gratitude Through Actions – The third and the most important stage of gratitude is the perfect utilization of the Divine Blessings, strictly in line with the Islamic teachings. The practical ways of doing so may include the following:
   1. Spending wealth for charity to support the poor.
   2. Using one’s official powers and authority to help people and remove their grievances.
   3. Physically supporting the oppressed, using one’s physical strength
   4. Using one’s Islamic and worldly knowledge for the benefit of people.

A believer’s Shukr is complete only when he expresses his Gratitude for Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, practicing all the above-mentioned three stages.

Why Gratitude (Shukr) Is So Important In Islam?

The importance of Shukr is elaborately mentioned in the Quranic verses and authentic Hadiths, as summarized here.

• Gratitude is directly commanded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ, as mentioned in the 152^nd verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.
• Gratitude is made an essential part of worshiping Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ, as mentioned in the 172^nd verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.
• Gratefulness brings more Divine Blessings for believers, as mentioned in the 7^thverse of Surah Ibrahim. (If you give thanks, I will certainly grant you more; but if you are ungrateful for My favours, My chastisement is terrible). This verse not only guarantees more blessings for being grateful to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ but at the same time also warns of the consequences of being ungrateful. However, one should not take it as an increase in wealth; His blessing may also come in the form of peace of mind and heart, stronger and affectionate relationships among family, beneficial knowledge, higher worldly status, and a greater level of faith.
• Gratitude enhances contentment of heart, which is considered by many scholars as one of the greatest benefits of Shukr. The modern lifestyle has become highly materialistic. People often compare their wealth and status with others. Being grateful for what has been blessed by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ provides peace of heart by protecting it from discontentment. This concept is elaborately narrated in Hadith 2963c of Sahih Muslim. (Look at those who stand at a lower level than you but don’t look at those who stand at a higher level than you, for this would make the favours (conferred upon you by Allah) insignificant (in your eyes). Abu Mu’awiya said: Upon you. But this does not mean that a believer should not strive for better things in life; this Hadith tells us not to make comparisons of one’s status with others.
• The most significant aspect of Shukr or being grateful to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ is that the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ himself exhibited the highest level of gratefulness, by way of praying at night for long hours. This is mentioned in Hadith 1130 of Sahih Al-Bukhari. (The Prophet (ﷺ) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer), and he said, “Should I not be a thankful slave.).
• The Quran tells us that being a believer in itself is a matter of great Divine Blessing, for which they should be grateful to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ. This important concept is described in the 17^th verse of Surah Al-Hujurat. (They count it as a favour to you that they accepted Islam. Say: “Do not regard your (accepting) Islam as a favour to me; rather, Allah has bestowed a favour on you by guiding you to faith, if you are truthful (in your claim to be believers).) This verse clarifies that guidance is also a Divine Blessing, for which believers need to thank Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
• Gratitude develops humility in one’s attitude. Muslims are urged to recognize their personal achievements as Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ blessings, instead of relating them to their own intelligence and efforts. Expressing gratitude for every single personal achievement helps to develop humility, which in itself is a great achievement for believers.
• Gratitude to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ is also associated with thanking fellow people. The Prophet is reported to have said that if an individual does not have the habit of thanking people, he would also not pay gratitude to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. In other words, gratefulness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ develops a habit of thanking other people, who might have done good with you. Hadith 4811 of Sunan Abi Dawood narrates it. (He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah.)

Practical Tips To Develop Shukr

• Make it a habit to say “alhamdulillah” frequently on completion of a task, receipt of good news, and even after eating and drinking.
• Often make a list of Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ blessings and praise Him for these favors.
• Ensure proper utilization of Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ blessings, within the permissible Islamic parameters.
• Never compare your status and achievements with others. Just thank Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ for whatever He has blessed you.
• Spend maximum time in worship.

Conclusion

Expressing thankfulness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ for all His blessings is one of the essentials of perfect Islamic faith. Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ blessings are countless, but many of them are often overlooked by Muslims, especially in the modern materialistic lifestyle. If we make a list of our achievements in worldly as well as religious life, it will transpire that none of them would have been possible without Allah’s help and blessings. Apart from one’s personal life achievements, several natural phenomena also come under Allah’s blessings, such as alternation between day and night, hot and cold weather, fresh air for breathing, water for drinking, and so on. All these are blessings of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ for the entire humankind.

Gratefulness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ for all these blessings is repeatedly emphasized in the Quran and Hadith. In fact, Shukr is declared as the basic element of Islamic faith and even worship. Another Islamic concept, “Sabr,” is closely associated with “Shukr”, which means praising Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ for good things, and showing patience during hardships.

FAQs

1. What is meant by Shukr in Islam?

Shukr is the Islamic way of showing gratitude and thankfulness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, in recognition of His blessings. It includes Shukr by heart, by tongue, and by actions.

2. Is saying alhamdulillah sufficient to express gratitude?

Saying alhamdulillah is the basic expression of gratitude, but Shukr also requires recognition of Allah’s blessings from the core of the heart, and using these blessings within the Islamic parameters, with responsibility.

3. What does the Quran say about gratitude?

Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ commands in the 7^th verse of Surah Ibrahim, “If you give thanks, I will certainly grant you more….).

4. Should a Muslim be grateful even during hardship?

Yes, hardship is a kind of trial for the believers, for which he should still remain grateful to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, as He promises that every hardship is followed by comfort and ease.

5. What is the most important blessing of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥوَتَعَالَىٰ, for which Muslims must be grateful?

The greatest and most important blessing of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is becoming a believer, which would not have been possible without His blessings, as mentioned in the 17^th verse of Surah Al-Hujurat. (They count it as a favour to you that they accepted Islam. Say: “Do not regard your (accepting) Islam as a favour to me; rather, Allah has bestowed a favour on you by guiding you to faith, if you are truthful (in your claim to be believers).)