Gratitude, in its essence, is a spiritual lens: one that allows us to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. In Islam, shukr (thankfulness) is not merely a feeling; it is an act of worship, a way of being. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah.” This hadith reminds us that gratitude begins with noticing, with paying attention to the seemingly ordinary moments that carry extraordinary weight.

Imagine walking through a quiet garden. You’re not rushing, not distracted. You’re simply present. You notice the way the sunlight filters through the leaves, the delicate curve of a petal, the hum of a bee nearby. These are not grand miracles, but they are signs – ayaat – from Allah.

In the Qur’an, Allah invites us to reflect on His signs in creation, to look closely and ponder. When we do, we begin to see that these “small things” are not small at all. They are reminders of Divine mercy, beauty, and presence.

Life, of course, is not always gentle. There are days when the landscape feels barren, when hardship casts long shadows. But even then, the practice of gratitude can be a quiet resistance. It doesn’t deny the difficulty – it simply chooses to see through it. It’s the moment you find comfort in a friend’s voice, or peace in a verse of Qur’an that speaks directly to your heart. It’s the breath you take before dawn, knowing that Allah has given you another chance to begin again.

We may not always have the energy to list every blessing. But we can train our hearts to notice. To pause. To say “Alhamdulillah” not just when things go right, but even when they don’t, because we trust that there is wisdom unfolding, even if we cannot yet see it.

Gratitude, then, becomes a way of journeying. A way of walking through life with open eyes and a softened heart. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And in that presence, we begin to realize that the “good small things” were never small to begin with. They were gifts, waiting to be seen.