Assalaamu Alaikum warahmatullah to you all. In supplement to our reminder today I would like to add that Gratitude is not an option and we should clean our hearts to thank ALLAH for everything that HE has provided us. Gratitude helps us to slow down and to enjoy what we have rather than always waiting for the next wish to come true. Gratitude can help us recognize that we already have enough of what many people have for long been yearning for. We must therefore tame our Nafs to understand that if we can’t find happiness in the blessings that we have today, then we won’t be happy with what we get tomorrow. You see, gratitude is a sense of fulfillment that comes not from wanting more but rather from a sense of knowing that ALLAH has already blessed us with what we need. In one of the hadiths the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “…if the son of Adam has one valley, he will wish that he had a second, and if he had two valleys, he would wish that he had a third. The stomach of the son of Adam will be filled only with dust (i.e., he is never satisfied)…” (Reported by Ahmad, 5/219; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1781). So, let’s use gratitude to learn to enjoy what we have rather than fretting over what we don’t. Gratitude’s importance was emphasized by the Prophet when he took the hand of Mu’aadh ibn Jabal and said: “O Mu’aadh, by ALLAH I love you, by ALLAH I love you.” Then he said, “I advise you, O Mu’aadh, do not fail to say this after every prayer: O Allah help me to remember You, to thank You and to worship You properly.” The Arabic version of this Hadith is the following. Let’s ensure that we memorize it and recite it after every prayer. Allahumma A’innii Alaa dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibadatika. To show gratitude to ALLAH means to sincerely thank HIM by saying AlhamdulilLah regularly regardless of our situation. By offering lots of sunnah salaat, fasting Mondays and Thursdays and also the 3 white days of each Islamic month, helping the poor, caring for our relatives especially our parents etc. May ALLAH keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences. Aameen.