The Power Of Shukr: How Gratitude Protects And Multiplies Blessings - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi

Friday Juma KhutbaOctober 17th, 2025- Last week’s discussion focused on the essence and importance of *shukr* — gratitude to Allāh and to those who serve as means (*wasīlah*) of His blessings.- From Imām al-Ṣādiq (a): Allāh told Prophet Mūsā to thank Him as He deserves; Mūsā replied that even the act of thanking is a blessing from Allāh. Allāh said Mūsā had truly thanked Him once he realized that the ability to thank comes from Allāh.- Imām Ḥusayn (a) in Du‘ā ‘Arafah expresses that no matter how much one tries, it is impossible to fully count or repay even a single blessing of Allāh — gratitude itself is enabled by His grace.- The Qur’ānic verse (14:34) reinforces this truth: “If you try to count the blessings of Allāh, you will never be able to number them.”- Sūrah al-Kahf tells the story of two men: one was given two lush gardens and became arrogant, claiming superiority in wealth and status.- He denied the possibility of resurrection and assumed his prosperity would never perish.- His companion reminded him that Allāh created him from dust and a drop, and advised him to say, “As Allāh wills; there is no power except in Allāh,” showing gratitude instead of arrogance.- The arrogant man’s gardens were destroyed, and he regretted his ingratitude, saying, “I wish I had not associated anyone with my Lord.”- The story concludes that all authority belongs to Allāh alone — He gives and takes as He wills, and His reward is the best.- Imām al-Ṣādiq (a) said: “It is written in the Torah — thank the one who blesses you and show kindness to the one who thanks you. Blessings never perish when gratitude is shown, but they vanish when denied; gratitude increases blessings and protects from change.”- CBC’s *The Fifth Estate* exposed how some Canadian charities are allegedly funding illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.- The UN reports over 2,500 settler attacks on Palestinians since the Gaza war began.- Experts argue this funding violates Canadian public policy and makes charities complicit in Palestinian displacement.- About 3.3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, where Israel controls about 60% of the land (Area C), with settlements housing roughly 500,000 settlers, all deemed illegal under international law.- Canada officially condemns settlement expansion but loopholes allow indirect financial support.- Toronto lawyer Shane Martinez and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians highlight that Canadian charities cannot legally support foreign armies.- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated that daily war crimes occur in the West Bank, admitting that Israel must withdraw and allow Palestinians their right to self-determination.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)