(MENAFN- Arab News) Thanking Allah keeps one on the right path and helps to remain grateful until He increases His favors. If someone persists in being ungrateful and disobeying His commandment they will be subjected to His punishment and wrath. Punishment may take different forms; some in this world and others in the Hereafter.

The punishments in this world include the loss of blessings. Allah Almighty states: 'So when they turned away (from the path of Allah) Allah turned their hearts away (from the right path).' (Qur'an 61:5)

Punishment may also take place in the form of giving power to enemies over us. However the punishment of the Hereafter is severer. Allah Almighty says: 'Remember Me (by praying glorifying) I will remember you and be grateful to Me (for My countless favors on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.' (Qur'an 2:152)

And 'Work you O family of Dawud (David) with thanks!' But few of My slaves are grateful.' (Qur'an 34:13) He informs us that the grateful are few and most people do not thank Him.

Most people enjoy Allah's favors but they do not thank Him. They are unmindful heedless and careless. Allah Almighty says: '... while those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode.' (Qur'an 47: 12)

A believer should be patient and grateful as Allah Almighty says: 'Truly there in are ayat (evidence proofs and signs) for every patient thankful (person).' (Qur'an 14:5)

A believer should be patient in times of adversity and thankful in times of prosperity. However a believer should not lose hope or neglect the physical means for patience does not conflict with taking the necessary physical measures. For example one should not feel hopeless when suffering from illness and should seek treatment.

One should not lose hope because of for instance shortage of harvest or disasters that may befall his farm but one should treat the farm to correct the problem. Patience is obligatory but it does not contradict seeking treatment and making use of permissible solutions.

A believer should endure patiently the afflictions that may befall him bearing in mind that nothing occurs except according to Allah's decree and great wisdom. One should know that the consequences of sins are grave so one should hasten to perform tawbah (repentance to Allah) from all sins and misdeeds.

It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: 'A slave may be deprived of provision for a sin he/she commits.' Someone may commit a sin that deprives them of many favors. Allah Almighty states: 'And whatever of misfortune befalls you it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.' (Qur'an 35:45) Allah says 'Whatever of good reaches you is from Allah but whatever of evil befalls you is from yourself.' (Qur'an 4:79) And 'Evil (sins and disobedience to Allah) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds) that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah and begging His Pardon).' (Qur'an 30: 41) Misfortunes prompt people to turn to Allah and warn them so that they may repent. Repentance and sincere abandonment of sins are the true way of forgiveness of past sins. Seeking lawful physical treatment is also an act of obedience to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: 'O Allah's Slaves! Seek treatment but use nothing unlawful.'

A Muslim should be patient in times of distress that befall him or his family. He should be thankful for Allah's favors by turning to Him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Wonderful are the affairs of the momeen; for there is good in each of his affairs. This is not the case with anyone else except the momeen for if he suffers affliction he endures patiently which is good for him. If he has an occasion to feel delight he thanks (Allah) thus there is good for him in it.' (Muslim)

Many people may be unaware of their practices which are in fact considered innovations in Islam (bidah) which is a form of being ingratitude to Allah Almighty. For example people in many countries celebrate mawlid (the Prophet's birthday) in the month of Rabi Al-Awwal believing it is desirable (mustahab). This is a mistake that has no basis in the purified Shariah.

Celebrating mawlids whether that of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or others is a rejected bidah that people invented. It was not practiced during the times of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or his companions) or the best generations.

It was first introduced by the Batiniyyah who are the children of Ubayd Al-Qaddah namely the Fatimid who ruled Egypt and Morocco in the 4th and 5th century AH. They introduced many mawlids such as that of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and others then people imitated them. This resembles the Christians and the Jews in their festivals. In such gatherings many sins are committed involving major shirk. Many scholars like Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Shatiby warned against this.

Praising the Prophet (peace be upon him) and describing his merits and esteem are not to be realized by bidah in the name of mawlid but by following his Shariah abiding by his commandments abandoning his prohibitions and calling for reviving his Sunnah and teaching it to the people in masjids schools and universities.

People began to imitate these by celebrating their birthdays or wedding anniversaries. These are of the rejected deeds as well. The Eids of Muslims are only Eid Al-Fitr (the festival of breaking the fast) and Eid Al-Adha (the festival of the sacrifice) and Days of Tashriq (11th 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah) and Jummah (Friday). Whoever introduces a new feast imitates the Christians and the Jews.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: 'Anyone who does an action which is not stated in this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected.' He also says 'Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected.' And: 'Avoid novelties (in the religion) for every novelty is a bidah and every bidah is an error.' There are so many Hadiths to the same effect.

Muslims should follow the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the companions and their followers of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) and should abandon bidah.

This concluding part of the article is based on a lecture 'Thankfulness and signs of Allah's grace' delivered by Sheikh bin Baaz in Riyadh on 29/Safar/1400 AH.

Courtesy: salaf-us-salih.com