Assalamu Alaikum,

Thanksgiving is a big part of the autumn season. It is a time when most of us get together with our extended family and friends, partake of various activities, watch a football game, and of course, enjoy a turkey with all the trimmings. Before dinner, we bow our heads in silent prayer or have someone lead us in a vocal prayer, giving thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us. While Thanksgiving reminds us to be thankful, we should not forget to be thankful every day of the year.

Everyone has something to be thankful for and most of us have many reasons to be thankful: health, a loving family, a good home, safe transportation, a steady job, a happy retirement, the ability to offer our daily prayers, the opportunity to earn greater reward and increase our place in Paradise; the list goes on and on. For these and other blessings we thank our Lord, the Creator asking nothing in return though He has promised that:

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’” (Quran 14:7)

Being grateful is not only expressed by words of praise and glory to the Lord, it is also expressed by following His commands which includes avoiding sin, respecting our fellow men, helping those in need, and in all other manner of good deeds.

We also recall the Hadith reported by at-Tirmithi and narrated by Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, in which our Prophet, peace be upon him [PBUH], taught us: “Whoever is not grateful to the people, he is not grateful to Allah.” So whenever we have reason to thank anyone for a favor they bestowed upon us, we should hasten to do so.

And as we observe this annual feast, let us remember another teaching of the Prophet [PBUH] reported by an-Nisa’i and narrated by al-Miqdam bin Ma’dikarib, may Allah be pleased with him, who stated: “I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouths-full to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one-third of food, one-third of drink, and one-third for air.” So let’s try not to leave the table overfilled and let’s remember those around the world, including the hurricane ravaged regions here at home and send them a portion of what we had planned to spend on ourselves.

Sincerely,

Muhammad Munir Chaudry, president