Because even Allah SWT appreciates.

You know that feeling when you think you do so much for a dear friend of yours, and they only take advantage of you when they need you (or other similar situations)? (what a shallow way of putting it, but yeah time and again so many kind hearted people go through this phenomenon of being ‘used’ etc.). Your best friend tells you to STOP BEING TOO NICE ALL THE TIME.

You know when everyone talks so much about women who sacrifice a lot of their dreams and ambitions for the sake of their families and marriages? Sitting sometimes behind closed doors,  with teary eyes, wondering where their future will take them. Facing a life so different from what they imagined, and what they wanted for themselves and their ‘dream’ family household.

Recently, I have been pondering upon Allah’s SWT name, Ash Shakoor a lot.

We all hear the asma ul Husna sung so very often, sometimes not even knowing the meaning of some of His names and attributes.

Ash Shakoor means The most Appreciative. But what does Allah swt have to be appreciative for? Everything belongs to Him, and everything we have is from Him, and He is the One who deserves all appreciation, then why is He The Most Appreciative? What does He appreciate?

The picture I painted in my words above talk about a sad, depressed woman who has given up in life. Yet, in fact, these women (atleast some of them) are those who sometimes, yes surely close their bedroom doors and tear up behind them, or cry in the nights to sleep, yet their hearts are those that haven’t given up. But their hearts have accepted the beautiful decrees of Allah SWT, their hearts are content of facing an exciting new future better than the ones they imagined for themselves. Their hearts are filled with faith in Him. They are actually happy internally, not sad. 

And not just that. Their faith strengthens  them in ways one cannot imagine, to be understanding of the state of their affairs. To be understanding and patient in the affairs their spouses or families face. Their hearts are so light with the love of Allah SWT in them, that they don’t even sometimes feel their ‘test’ to be a test in the first place!

Instead its the beauty in their lives they see. They appreciate all their blessings and grab them with all humility. They beautify their lives wherever they are. They’re like the flowers in the garden, even if shed, still beautify the ground; even if dry, still scent the hands…

Yes, sometimes, their normal human selves seek appreciation, sometimes they wish for someone to know the little efforts they make, that actually mean a lot to them, yet seem little. And in these times, life teaches them, that Allah Ash-Shakoor, is Most Appreciative of them. If not for Ash- Shakoor who sees and appreciates the beauty in their faith and strength and patience, then who would? And Perhaps it is Ash Shakoor who made their hearts light with the happiness of knowing Him.

It’s all about perspective; of how we see and view things. Twists in life, or tests in life can either drain and drown us in depression, or make us win over them and rise. It’s all about how we react to it.

These women haven’t given up. It is these gardens that they are unexpectedly placed in, these scenarios that they face that push them to bloom beyond what they normally would have; Push them to seek their inner selves and never let themselves go lost. And they do. By the Mercy of AshShakoor, The Most Appreciative, they bloom; They shine.

In living and accepting every day, focusing on each day on its own, they leave their futures in Allah’s hands, without giving up in their dreams. And their dreams are fulfilled, in ways He loved. Much more beautifully.

It’s in accepting the ‘todays’ with full reliance and believing its Allah’s best gift to you, you realise you’ve lived your life to the fullest. 

[Surah Fatir, verse 30] لِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدَهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ غَفُورٌ شَكُور

That He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative.  [Surah Fatir, verse 30]

Allah swt calls Himself Ash Shakoor – The Most Appreciative, The Most Grateful, the Rewarder of Good deeds. He is the One who gives abundantly, in response to little. And He appreciates the smallest of deeds with unlimited appreciation. He even appreciates our intentions!

LIVE with His name, AshShakoor

When you yearn for appreciation from others, look for it in Ash Shakoor. When you fail in your actions, even if you intended good, then remember Ash Shakoor has appreciated it, even if others didn’t. That moment when a good deed seems so small in your eyes, DO it, for He will appreciate it. Continue to help others, be there for others, and Allah Ash Shakoor will give back. Even if He delays in His return, He will never deny it, only magnify it. For perhaps He might postpone our returns, only to purify our sincerity even more.

The beauty of Islam is that nothing we do is ever lost. Every small act or big act is rewarded and recorded and never belittled.

And how can we live with His name Ash Shakoor, if WE AREN’T grateful to Him and Appreciative of Him? Allah SWT says,

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.’  [Surah Ibrahim, verse 7]

To be grateful to Him, TO thank Him for His blessings, USE His blessings in His obedience, and thank Him verbally, and wholeheartedly and consistently.

Take His name in prayers: Ya Ash Shakoor, all praise is to You, please make us of the ones who are Most thankful to You, in obedience to you and adorn us with your blessings and rewards, the most beautiful of it being Jannah!