Muslims urged to view the Quran with due consideration as a way of life, GI

Almighty Allah is appreciative of His servants but few of them are grateful, GI

Allah's blessings surround individuals throughout their lives, GI 

Prophet's expresses gratitude and supplication to Almighty Allah in every action, GI

His Eminence, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam and MCE Chairman explained that Shakir, is one of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah. Like Ghafir, Shakir is a present participle denoting the does of the action. It means that Allah is appreciative of the good deeds of His servants. Another derivative is Shakur, which comes in a form that denotes a frequent action.  

During the 14th episode of his Ramdan TV program Imam Al-Tayyeb Talk,, His Eminence explained that it is important to understand Allah’s names mentioned in the Qur’an and to know the difference between the ones derived from the same root. His Eminence stressed that the Quran has guided the Muslims and encouraged them to enlighten the West, as well as the East, during their era of darkness. Within 80 years, the Muslims conquered Andalusia and China. The people of Andalusia would welcome the Muslim conquerors who were like a lifeline to them. Hence, they revived civilization there. He expressed his regret that our children now, and even the elites, do not duly appreciate the Quran. The Muslims should approach it as a way of life. The Prophet (pbuh) described it in many Hadiths, including the one in which he said, “Any sovereign who abandons it, Allah shall shatter him.” This is what we are witnessing now. There is much to say but no way to say it. I know the reason. It is when you have the only effective medicine to your illness, but you underestimate it. 

The Grand Imam indicated that the word shukr refers to the subjective qualities of the one being praised. However, if the qualities are associated with one’s actions, as when you praise someone because he feeds the poor, then this praise is thana’ (gratitude). So, Allah’s shukr (praise) to His servants may focused on one’s intrinsic qualities or it may involve appreciation of one’s qualities in relation to specific deeds.

As for the wisdom of the association between Allah’s Name Ash-Shakur and the two other Names, Al-Ghafur and Al-Halim, the Grand Imam explained that there is a discipline that addresses the closing of Quranic verses in ways that justify the rulings introduced at the beginnings of these verses and discovers the correspondence between the opening and closing of the verses. Al-Shakur (thankfulness) entails forbearance. One cannot be thankful unless he is forbearing. So, many descriptions are thought to be introduced arbitrarily. Well, there is a specific discipline that addresses consistency and proportionality between the openings and closings of the verses. It also tackles the connection between the successive verses. The Glorious Qur’an as a whole is complete, and the Prophet (pbuh) used to specify such connections. He would say, “Put this verse in such-and-such order, in such-and-such Surah.” This order is based on textual evidence. So, it is not permissible for anyone to change the order of any verse or mismatch two different verses based on opinion.

Commenting on Allah’s saying in Surat Saba’: “A few of My servants are grateful (Shakur)”, the Grand Imam said that Shakur is the one who thanks the benefactor for a favor, and Allah’s favors on humans are boundless and they encompass every aspect of one’s life. When humans habitually get used to receiving Allah’s favors, they almost become heedless of them. No wonder the Prophet (pbuh) would say the praises of Allah and thank Him every time he ate, drank, or slept. His Eminence asserted that only a few are truly thankful to Allah. Some people would even thank Allah only when they receive a major favor or when they are delivered from a distressing situation. Such people are not fully thankful. Only those heedful of the constant Divine presence are truly thankful at every moment.