Reflecting on Our Blessings

Allah says in the Qur’an, “Whatever blessings you have are from Allah.”

Here are six blessings to reflect on that summarize verses 1-4 of Surah al-Fatiha.

1. Allah taught us how to thank Him

• Some blessings go unappreciated. One particular blessing is that Allah taught us how to thank and praise Him with the verse, “Alhamdulillahi rabbil alameen.”

• Everyone, regardless of which language(s) they speak and even if they are unfamiliar with Arabic, knows how to thank Him using this verse.

2. Allah is “ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem”

• Allah introduces Himself with the names Allah, ar-Rahman, and ar-Raheem.

• Allah is merciful and forgives our mistakes.

• Imagine if He punished us for every mistake, or if our sins were never forgiven.

• He is ar-Rahman, ar-Raheem, al-Ghafur. He gives us hundreds of chances, saves us, protects us, and forgives us.

• Whenever we say alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'alameen, we should reflect on these meanings.

3. Allah is “Maliki Yawmi ad-Deen”

• It can be read as maalik or malik: Allah is the King and Lord of the Day of Judgment.

• It is a blessing that He will be our Judge instead of someone who might be unfair or lack the mercy only He can give.

• In this life, we face hardship, mistreatment, and injustice. Remembering the Day of Judgment, and that Allah is the Most Just (al-'Adl), brings sakinah and peace to our hearts.

• If we do good but don't see the result we hoped for, Allah will still reward us, so long as our deeds were for Him.

• Those who were unjust will also be judged by Allah.

4. Allah is al-'Adl (the Most Just)

• Allah is the Most Just, but also the Most Forgiving and the Most Barr (kind and generous).

• Allah says in the Qur’an, “There is no comparison between the inhabitants of the Fire and the inhabitants of Paradise.”

• Someone who prayed Fajr consistently, gave zakat, donated, helped others, was good to neighbors and family, and did everything for Allah is not the same as someone who did none of that. May Allah protect us.

• Those who believed in Allah and followed the messengers and prophets are not the same as those who did not.

• People will be at different levels on the Day of Judgment, even within Jannah. Allah says, "See how We have favoured some over others ˹in this life˺, but the Hereafter is certainly far greater in rank and in favour."

• We seek refuge in Allah from the Hellfire, but some will be in it. In His justice, people will be placed at different levels.

• In matters between people, Allah is the Most Just.

5. Allah treats us with fadl and birr

• Toward each of us individually, Allah treats us with something higher than justice, called fadl or birr.

• Allah says in the Qur’an,

  • “Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded tenfold. But whoever comes with a bad deed will be punished for only one. None will be wronged.”

  • “Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded with what is better. And whoever comes with an evil deed, then the evildoers will only be rewarded for what they used to do.”

• Allah rewards us with more than we did, out of His favor and bounty.

• Our bad deeds are not multiplied.

• If we repent, our sins are wiped out, and beyond that, some of them are converted into good deeds. Allah says in the Qur’an,

  • “˹They are˺ those who do not invoke any other god besides Allah, nor take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺ right, nor commit fornication. And whoever does ˹any of˺ this will face the penalty. Their punishment will be multiplied on the Day of Judgment, and they will remain in it forever, in disgrace. As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

• Summary: With fadl and birr, Allah treats us better than our deeds deserve. Good is multiplied, sins are not, and if we repent we are forgiven and those sins become good deeds.

6. Allah knows everything

• On the Day of Judgment Allah treats us with fadl and justice, which brings great comfort. Whatever happens in this life, we will return to Allah, and we know He knows everything. Allah says in the Qur’an,

  • “Surely nothing on earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah.”

• Allah knows our intentions and the intentions of others, including those who treated us well or badly.

• He also knows our sacrifices and intentions, and He will reward us for them.

Alhamdulillah that Allah will be our Judge on the Day of Judgment.

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Alameen.