Faith: Come together as a community to give thanks
The word for thanks in Arabic is shukr. Interestingly two of the names of God in Islam, are Ash-Shakir and Ash-Shakoor, the Eternally Grateful and the Most Appreciative.
We are called as human beings to show gratitude to God as well as to one another. The Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) said, “Whoever does not thank people, does not thank God.”
This reflexivity between God and His creation pervades the consciousness of religious paradigms. If we want forgiveness, we are asked to forgive; if we want mercy, we are to show mercy.
He, Most Sublime and Most High turns to us so we can turn to Him; and when we do turn to Him, He turns even more to us. This is the beauty of being immersed in the Sea of Love and Eternal Gratitude. The Quran states, “when you are grateful, I give you even more.”
In doing work that seeks to uplift and comfort the marginalized in society, it is to be done out of love and without expectation of thanks or recognition from human beings. This is the prophetic imperative that cuts across religious streams. It is enough to know that God is the Most Appreciative.
There is a tradition of perfuming coins before giving to those in need because of the conviction that the coins fall into the hand of God before falling into the hands of the poor. While we might be seen and appreciated by men and women, that is not our aim. To be recognized and appreciated in this world is a good tiding from God of the blessings yet to come. Imagine getting a thank-you card from the Lord of the Worlds.
Even as we come together to enumerate the blessings of God upon us, we fall short. In the end, simply acknowledging that we cannot fully thank Him for all His gifts upon us is in and of itself approaching proper thanks. In addition to words of thanks, we are to utilize His bounty in a way that is most pleasing to Him through deeds of thanks. Indeed, the most beloved of people to God is he/she who most benefits people.
The opposite of remembering, acknowledging, and utilizing blessings is forgetting, covering up, abusing and wasting the bounties bestowed upon us. If we have no benevolent action or word to put forward, the least we can do for our own good is to do no harm or to remain silent.
Moreover, wasting what has been given to us is the ultimate form of ingratitude. The Quran states, “…eat and drink, but don’t waste…” The sobering truth is that opportunities to be grateful in this world do not last forever, thus such opportunities are not to be wasted. The Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) advised, “take advantage of your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your busy time, and take advantage of your life before your death.”
Thankfully, here in Austin, Interfaith Action of Central Texas hosts an event every year to express thanks together. This year iACT’s Interfaith Day of Thanks will be held on Nov. 20 at St. Matthews Episcopal Church. The myriad faiths of Austin are represented in an atmosphere of mutual respect and coming together as a city for the cause of goodness in gratitude. We look forward to seeing you there and highly appreciate that you would honor us with your presence.
Sheikh Islam Mossaad is a long-time Austinite who serves as Imam for the North Austin Muslim Community Center and on the board of Interfaith Action of Central Texas. Doing Good Together is compiled by IACT, interfaithtexas.org.
iACT’s 38th Annual Interfaith Day of Thanks Service & Celebration
Everything is Connected
3 p.m. Nov. 20
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive
Free and all are welcome
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Come together as a community to give thanks
