When was the last time we thanked Allah (God) for our heart and the ability to move or our brain for the ability to think? Thought comes before every action.
Think about the magnificent things our body can do, such as the amazing use of our legs or our ability to use our arms if our legs are somehow challenged. God thought of everything; our body is a walking hospital.
I was reminded of the power of gratitude after listening to Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad’s inspiring talk on the Ummah Reflects podcast at the end of Ramadan.
He reminded us about the verse in the Holy Qur’an that states “remembrance of Allah is the greatest force” and how important it was for us to remember those without food, etc. Student Minister Ishmael did an amazing job laying out a daily system for expressing gratitude.
He shared how he thanks Allah (God) for his parents, the Teachings, his wife, and family, etc.
Imagine what type of mood we could be in if, before getting out of bed, we would first express gratitude. Thank God for waking you up. That means you have been given another opportunity to improve yourself and serve others.
Show gratitude to Allah (God) for giving you a priceless vessel that grows in value each day—your body. We give attention to what we love. Give attention to your body and watch your love for it grow even more. Gratitude also puts your body in a state of healing.
Remember when the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was ill and in tremendous pain years ago? The Minister didn’t express resentment, he expressed gratitude. His daughter was a witness to his expression of gratitude for life during a time of intense suffering.
Look at the wise advice the Minister Farrakhan gave to a person on page 76 of the book, “The Teachings 2.0, Volume 3A.”
The person wrote, “Dear Minister, my mother is in such bad health, but she won’t let go of her bitterness, which I think is contributing to her bad health. How can I gingerly advise her to just let go?”
Minister Farrakhan’s answer: “The state of mind of bitterness will definitely increase dis-ease or illness in the body; that is an agitated state of mind that has lost the greatest gift of all, which is peace and contentment of mind.
When we cannot understand the things that happen to us in life, and we have become embittered, rather than emboldened to stay on The Path of God, then that bitterness, like a poison like cancer, will eat us up on the inside.”
If you haven’t already, take time to read and study: “Self-Improvement: The Basis for Community Development,” Study Guides by Minister Farrakhan and the wisdom and guidance it contains. The process of self-examination, self-analysis, and self-correction will not only help us to improve ourselves but will help us heal.
May Allah bless us all with peace, love, health, wealth, and happiness.
Dr. Audrey Muhammad is an educator, aerobics instructor, and author of “Get Fit to Live: Be Your Best You!” Contact her at [email protected] and for more information, visit www.virtuetodaymag. com. Please consult a physician before beginning any new exercise or dietary program.
