Shukr (Gratitude)

Shukr (Arabic: شكر) means "gratitude" and is one of the most fundamental duties the believer has toward Allah. Shukr encompasses three dimensions: gratitude in the heart (recognition of the blessing), gratitude with the tongue (verbal praise), and gratitude with the body (using Allah's gifts in His obedience).

The Quran connects gratitude with blessing: "If you are grateful, I will surely give you more" (Surah Ibrahim 14:7). And: "And among His servants, the grateful are few" (Surah Saba 34:13). This latter verse shows that true gratitude is rare and requires conscious effort.

Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) dedicated an entire supplication in Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah to gratitude (Du'a no. 37, "Prayer for Gratitude"). In it he says: "O Allah! The blessing of being able to pray is itself a blessing that requires gratitude — but gratitude is itself a new blessing that requires further gratitude — and thus gratitude is infinite." This reflection shows the depth of Shia theological thinking about shukr.

Sujud al-shukr (the prostration of gratitude) is a practice in Shia Islam where the believer places their forehead on the ground in pure gratitude to Allah upon receiving a blessing or averting a calamity. Imam al-Sadiq said: "When Allah blesses you, place your forehead on the ground for Him" (Al-Kafi, vol. 2). Shukr is the believer's natural response to Allah's infinite generosity and a source of further blessing.