Count your blessings [14:34]

In Surah Ibrahim (14:34), after telling us how He has created the Sun and the Moon and the night and the day to be subservient to us, Allah reminds us

وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ لاَ تُحْصُوهَا

[14:34] and if you count Allah's favors, you will not be able to number them

Why can we not enumerate His blessings? The more we reflect upon the creation of the universe and upon our creation, the more we recognize our inability to thank Him.

Therefore, the most thankful of Your creatures is he who is conscious of his inability to thank You, says Imam Zainul Abedin [as] in Sahifa Sajjadiya.

And our amazing Lord is such that He recognizes our inability to thank Him as gratitude!

Why We Cannot Count Allah’s Blessings

Scholars explain why we are unable to count the blessings of Allah:

1. The Blessings Are Everywhere: The blessings are so all-pervasive that many of them become background noise to our lives. For example, we may overlook the sunshine that brightens our days, the rain that nourishes the earth, or the perfect balance of nature that allows us to thrive. These blessings are so constant that we forget to acknowledge them.
2. The Blessings Are Too Numerous: Even if we tried, with all the means at our disposal, we would still not be able to count all the favors Allah has given us. There are simply too many. Because every single thing that we and do not see, every atom that it takes to create this awesome universe is a blessing from Him. Can we count the atoms in the universe? The drops of water in the ocean? The species of flowers on this planet? The stars in the night sky? The cells in the human body? The DNA in our hair follicles?
3. Some Blessings Are Hidden: There are also blessings that we are unaware of. These hidden blessings may not become apparent until we have the knowledge or experience to recognize them. Take, for example, the intricate workings of the human body or the natural world, which science continues to uncover. Some blessings are hidden because we fail to notice them, or we lack the understanding to see them as blessings. Blessings can also be hidden from us because our attention is not directed towards them or because our vision is so limited that we do not consider a blessing to be such because we don't understand it.

Imam Hussain [as] puts it beautifully in Dua Arafaat:

O Allah, this is my praise for You, celebrating Your glory, . . . and my acknowledgment of Your bounties, counting them, although I confess that I could never count them for they are innumerable, abundant,
continuous, and prior to a certain event.
You have been conferring upon me these bounties since You created and originated me
from the beginning of my age, through my poverty, relieving me from harm, giving me means of ease,
repelling misery from me, alleviating my agonies, granting me wellbeing in my body, and furnishing me with sound faith.
If all creatures assist me to be able to recount Your bounties, including the past and the coming generations, neither I, nor they will be able to do that.

The Power of Counting Our Blessings

While we acknowledge that there is no way we can enumerate His blessings, we also need to recognize that gratitude for the things we do notice and recognize is one of the most essential spiritual and wellbeing practices. Here are some of the powerful effects of focusing on our blessings:

1. Connecting to Allah: When we acknowledge the blessings Allah has bestowed upon us, we acknowledge Him. Every act of gratitude is an act of love for the Creator. This strengthens our connection with Allah and nurtures a heart that recognizes His presence in every moment.
2. Balancing Our Perspective: In times of hardship, focusing on what is going right helps us keep a balanced perspective. It reminds us that even in the toughest times, there is good around us—whether it's our health, our relationships, or even the smallest moments of joy. This balance keeps hope alive and helps us remain resilient.
3. Becoming More Pleasant to Be Around: Gratitude doesn’t just benefit us—it makes us more pleasant to those around us. It’s easier to be around someone who sees the silver lining than someone who constantly focuses on what’s going wrong. Gratitude fosters a positive, uplifting presence that brightens the lives of others.
4. Building Resilience: Gratitude strengthens us emotionally and helps us handle difficulties with grace. When we practice gratitude, we build a mental and emotional toolkit that makes us more capable of navigating life's challenges. It is no longer just about what we have, but how we use it to cope and move forward.
5. Gratitude leads to happiness: Gratitude leads to happiness by helping us focus on the positive aspects of life, allowing us to appreciate and enjoy what we have rather than dwelling on what we lack. This shift in perspective fosters a sense of contentment and joy, enhancing our overall happiness by making us more aware of the blessings we experience daily.
6. Rewiring Our Brains: Neuroscience has shown that the brain can be rewired through the practice of gratitude. When we intentionally focus on what we're thankful for, we create new neural pathways that help us think more positively. Gratitude, in this sense, is not just a feel-good practice—it literally reshapes how we perceive the world and how we respond to it.

The Depth of Gratitude: A Powerful Practice

It’s important to note that gratitude is most effective when practiced with depth and intention. Research on gratitude practices suggests that it’s not just about ritualistically listing blessings, but about delving deeply into them. In fact, focusing on the breadth (or variety) of blessings is less effective than focusing on the depth of a single blessing. For example, rather than creating a long list of blessings, consider focusing on one blessing and reflecting on its multiple aspects.

One of my favorite and simplest gratitude practices revolves around the morning cup of tea or coffee. [which we shall be enjoying again soon inshallah!] For many of us, this is a ritual that we engage in every day, often without giving much thought to the countless factors that bring this cup to us. Here’s how you can turn your morning tea into a teacup full of gratitude:

As you enjoy your first cup in the morning, pause for a moment and become mindful of the cup you are holding:

• Notice the comforting warmth that fills your hands.
• Smell the aroma that gently rises up towards your nose.
• Appreciate the quiet time before the day begins.
• Reflect on how many people and resources have contributed to bringing this cup to you:
  • The farmers who planted the tea or coffee.
  • The workers who harvested, processed, and brought it to market.
  • The caretakers of the animals that produced the milk.
  • The factory workers who made the cup.
  • The transporters who brought it all together.
  • The means to heat the water
  • The time to have the tea!

By starting your day with this deep awareness, you place yourself in a state of spiritual expansion, in a state of awe and gratitude for all the resources and people that Allah put in your life who made it possible. You recognize the coordination of Allah’s plan in bringing this blessing into your life, just so you could have your morning caffeine.

This deepened practice, where you focus on the various layers of a single blessing, allows you to experience a richer, more meaningful sense of gratitude. It helps to move beyond mindlessly listing blessings and encourages us to connect with them on a deeper, more profound level.

As I reflect on the countless blessings that surround us, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to you, dear reader. I am truly grateful for your time to read and engage with this content, and for all the warm messages of support and encouragement I have received. Your presence is a blessing dear soul friend, and I appreciate you being part of this journey with me. May we continue to grow in gratitude, together.

All praise is due to Allah, for He taught and inspired us with gratitude to Him Sahifa Sajjadiyya Dua 37: Giving thank
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Wishing you a day full of spiritual fulfillment, positivity, purpose and peace.