If there were a person in this world who not only ruled the world but actually owned it — all its buildings, cars, ships, aeroplanes, and everything within it — and on top of that, he enjoyed perfect health and great physical beauty, then outwardly he would seem to have everything.

But if that person is deprived of Īmān, then in reality, he has nothing at all.

On the other hand there is another person who is suffering the worst of sickness in the world, perhaps he is suffering from every kind of sickness and poverty, neither does he own anything, nor does he have any family, but he possesses an iota of Imaan. Wallahi he is better than millions and trillions of people of the former category. But unfortunately today we give importance to material things. 

When Allah Ta'ala says “O people of Imaan”, it is an indication that you are Jannatis, you have got the passport for Jannat as Jannat hinges on your Imaan. This is a great gift which Allah Ta'ala has given us. 

Generally, when we make shukr, our minds turn to the material blessings of this world. We think of wealth, comfort, and possessions. But have we ever stopped to realise the greatest gift Allah Taʿala has blessed us with — the gift of Īmān?

And more importantly, have we ever sincerely expressed our Shukr to Allah Taʿala for this priceless bounty and said Alḥamdulillāh for being blessed with Imaan?

Hazrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Ishaq Saab Hafizahullah