Thanksgiving

With ALLAH’S name, The Merciful Benefactor, Merciful Redeemer

By Imam Abdullah El-Amin

November, 2013–With God’s name, The Merciful Benefactor, Merciful Redeemer

We witness that there is but One God over the entire creation regardless of your faith tradition.  Some call Him Yahweh.  Some call Him Jehovah.  Some call Him Elohim, Adonai, El, and many others.   In Spain they call Him Dios.  In India they say Deva. In Italian, Christos.  .  In the Amazon jungle they might call Him “The Howling Wind or Great Spirit.

The main point we are to remember is that He is One – and our job as human beings is to worship Him and thank Him for the many blessings He constantly bestows on us.

This annual celebration of Thanksgiving gives us an excellent opportunity to exercise our gratitude.  This day was born out of an extremely difficult period in the early years of our country.  After a trying period of famine,  Almighty God blessed the early settlers and Native Americans with a bountiful harvest so significant that the air of gratitude has continued even to this day – and we pray -  forever.

We as American Muslims can look upon this day in a special way.  Exercising gratitude is one of the surest ways to acquire peace and productivity in this life.  And this is for the Muslims who were born in this country and those who chose to emigrate here and choose to stay here.  I can see nothing wrong with praising ALLAH and being grateful to Him for the great many gifts we receive.

Let us try to live with gratitude, not only on this special day of Thanksgiving but throughout the year – and every year God gives us to live.  As we recognize that this life is only a fleeting moment, and so short, let us make the best of it.  Show your love for Almighty God.  Let us be cheerful, positive, and peaceful to our fellow brothers and sisters.  If you are given a good greeting by someone give that greeting back – and go a little further and give them more than they gave you.   

Thanksgiving comes at a time when look with foreboding at the coming dreary weather. Some of us don’t cherish the thought of the oncoming winter.  But let us be grateful for everything Almighty God allows us to experience.  He is the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful.

Let us show God that we are appreciative of His benevolence by letting negativity pass you by.  Focus on praising God more.  Observe the beautiful creation He has provided us.  Stop and smell the flowers.  Educate yourself about God and His creation.  Laugh and be happy.  Be especially cordial to those you feel have wronged you.  Do not be afraid of challenges.  Know that God is with you.

Almighty God reminds us of His benevolence by allowing us to observe this annual day of Thanks.  We are thankful that He put the spirit of brotherly and sisterly moral consciousness in us that allows human beings of many cultures, ethnic groups, and faith traditions to come together in the spirit of Thanks.

And, as He says in the Quran scripture, “If you are grateful I will give you more.”

As Salaam alaikum,
Al Hajj Imam Abdullah El-Amin

Author of the Forthcoming book, THE SPIRITUAL ADAM: Reflections to tap into our power as human beings

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