Wear gratitude like a cloak…

Gratitude, or shukr, is a transformative element in Sufi philosophy. Gratitude embodies a profound spiritual practice that blesses seekers with a constant connection with the Almighty.

Those who regard gratitude as only the expression of saying ‘Thanks’ shall lose sight of its immense power. Gratitude towards the Divine is a state of being. It is the forever bridge with the Almighty and an integral determinant of the sincerity of the seeker’s journey.

About gratitude, it is said that if a man had no more to do with God than to be thankful, that would suffice. Sufi masters knew that gratitude can unveil the mysteries of the Divine and manifest the life that one desires. Deepening the emotional stability of gratitude can transform man.

In 2006, the book ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne took the world by storm. It sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and was translated into 50 languages. One of the top lessons of ‘The Secret’ and other books of its kind is to practice gratitude as a way of life to attract all kinds of abundance that one seeks. The messages and learnings of books of this genre have been known and shared by the mystics for centuries.

More than a millennium ago, Hazrat Abu Talib al-Makki, a Sufi mystic who lived in the 10^th century and was a student of Hazrat Junayd of Baghdad, wrote that ‘the meaning of shukr in the (Arabic) language is to unveil (kashf) and make manifest (iẓhār).”

Through deep meditation and awareness, Sufi seekers deepen the practice of finding contentment in God’s plan, and profound, joyous agreement with the Divine Will.  Complete acceptance and the constant feeling of gratitude towards the Almighty transform the journey of an individual.

Sheikh Abu Saeed Abul Khair, (967-1049), a famous Persian Sufi and poet who contributed extensively to the evolution of Sufi tradition, reflected in his writings that true freedom lay in aligning one’s heart with the will of the Almighty. He said, “The Sufi is pleased with all that God does in order that God may be pleased with all that he does.”

Helen Keller (1880 -1968), the American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer, had lost her sight and her hearing after a bout of illness when she was 19 months old. She spectacularly overcame her disabilities and went on to become a global figure. A sentence that Helen Keller said is remembered by many. She said, “I cried that I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.”

The earliest known source of this saying is from Gulistan, or The Rose Garden, written in 1258 by the greatly loved Sufi mystic Sheikh Saadi (1210-1292) of Shiraz, who was also one of the greatest poets of the classical literary tradition.

It is said that once, after completing his prayers, Sheikh Saadi discovered that his shoes had been stolen. Disappointed that he would have to walk barefoot, he encountered a man without feet. Sheikh Saadi later wrote that this chance encounter shifted his perspective. He expressed gratitude to the Almighty for blessing him with feet. He realized that while it was simple for him to buy new shoes, the real blessing was that he had feet and good health to walk comfortably.

This story captures the essence of the practice of gratitude. It carries the deep underlying message that an individual must cultivate thankfulness in every situation and must always be conscious and mindful of all the blessings that others may take for granted.

Sufi mystic and philosopher Hazrat Ibn al-ʿArabī (1165-1240), lovingly called Shaykh al-Akbar, noted that true gratitude arises from recognizing the divine source of all blessings. He stated, “The reality of gratitude is recognition of the blessing from the Benefactor in a state of humility”. Even mundane experiences can transform into experiences of divine awareness if one is mindful of God’s presence in all things.

The Sufis have taught that those who live in mindfulness and gratitude are able to fully live the present moment and be aware of the blessings that anchor their life.

There is a Sufi story about a farmer whose son captured a beautiful wild horse. The neighbours were thrilled to see the horse and gushingly congratulated the farmer. But the man stayed calm and responded with a gentle “We will see.”

While the farmer’s son was trying to tame the horse, the wild animal threw him over. The young man’s leg was broken. Now the neighbours collected again, bemoaning the son’s misfortune. The farmer stayed calm as they voiced their concerns. He said, ‘We will see.”

Some days later, the king’s men came to recruit healthy young men for war. They did not take the farmer’s son because his leg was broken. Now the neighbours started celebrating that the son had been spared the travails of war because of the injury he had sustained. This story illustrates how one must keep one’s equilibrium in all situations and always be thankful to the Almighty.

Sufi masters have taught us that life is full of many unexpected twists and turns. An individual must always practice gratitude regardless of the circumstances, as outcomes may reveal deeper truths over time.

“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life,” said Hazrat Rumi (1207-1273), the greatly loved Sufi mystic and poet. “Be grateful for your life, every detail of it, and your face will come to shine like a sun. Persist in gratitude, and you will slowly become one with the Sun of Love, and Love will shine through you its all-healing joy,” he wrote.

The book Gulistan is regarded as one of the most famous books of Tasawwuf (Sufism). After Sheikh Saadi finished the book, he wrote, “Gratitude is due from me to God that this book is ended Before my life has reached its termination.” Even after more than 765 years, the fragrance of Gulistan continues to gladden hearts.

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