Al-Shakir and Al-Shakur

Source:

An-Nahjul-Asmaa Fii Sharh Asma’u Allah-ul-Husna, by Shaikh Muhammad Al-Humoud Al-Najdi.

Two of Allah’s (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) Mightiest and Most Beautiful Names are Al-Shakir (All-Appreciative) and Al-Shakur (i.e. Most ready to appreciate). Qatadah (Rahimahullaah) said: “The two Names mean He Who is Most ready to appreciate the good deeds (of the believers) and to recompense with.” Al-Khattabi (Rahimahullaah) said: “They mean that He Who accepts the smallest of deeds and gives great rewards in return.”

The Name Al-Shakur is mentioned in the Qur’an four times, e.g. in Surat Fatir, Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) says:

لِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدَهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ إِنَّهُ غَفُورُ شَكُورُ

“That He may pay them their wages in full, and give them (even) more, out of His Grace. Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds).” (35:30)

The Name Al-Shakir has been mentioned in the Qur’an twice, e.g. in Surat Al-Baqarah, Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) says:

وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرً فَإِنَّ اللهَ شَاكِرُ عَلِيمٌ

“And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is All-Appreciative, All-Knower.” (2:158)

The impact of believing in these two Names:

1. Since Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) is All-Appreciative and Most ready to appreciate, then we are forbidden to despise or belittle any good or righteous deeds, even if they were little.
   The Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) told Abu Dharr (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu):- “Do not consider even the smallest good deed as insignificant; even meeting your brother with a cheerful face (is a good deed).” [Muslim]
   We are encouraged to do righteous deeds, small or big because nothing we do is ever in vain, for Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) is Al-Shakir, Al-Shakur. The Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Protect yourself from Hellfire even with half a date, and if you did not find any, then (you can do it through saying) a good or pleasant word (to your Muslim brother).”[Al-Bukhari] Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala), the Most High, multiplies the reward of good deeds as many times as He wills, and this is out of His Grace, which He bestows on whom He wills.  Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’alaa) says in Surat Al-Baqarah (2:261):

مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنيَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّاْئَةٍ وَاللهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَاللهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn), it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains.  Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures needs, All-Knower.”

And He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) says in Surat An-Nisaa (4:40):

إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

“Surely Allah wrongs not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), but if there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.”

Narrated Abu Hurairah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If one gives in charity what equals one date fruit from the honestly earned money- and Allah accepts only honestly earned money-Allah takes it in His Right (Hand) and then enlarges its reward for that person as any one of you brings up his baby horse, so much so that it becomes as big as a mountain.”[Al-Bukhari]

Narrated Abu Mas’ud Al-Ansari (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu): A man came with a she-camel with a halter (i.e. the rope which is used to direct the camel) and said: “This is for Allah’s cause.” The Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “On the Day of Judgement, you will be given (as a reward) 700 she-camels, all of them with a halter (i.e. owned by him).” [Muslim]

Out of Allah’s great Shukr (i.e. Appreciation) to His slaves and out of His Grace and Generosity towards them, is that He gives manifold increases for good deeds, but evil deeds will be written as they are, without being multiplied, as He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Al-An’am (6:160):

مَن جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا وَمَن جَاءَ بِاسَّيِّئَةِ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

 “Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed shall have only the recompense of the like thereof and they will not be wronged.”

     2.   It should be borne in mind that the reward of all that the Muslim offers in approaching Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala), of Salat, fasting, performing Hajj, giving Sadaqah, Jihad and other good deeds which include many defects, shortcomings and forgetfulness, can never be Paradise and all that it includes of pleasure and delight in any way,  and can never rescue the person from Hell-fire. Narrated Aisha(Radia Allaahu ‘anha), the wife of the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), that the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)  said: “Do good deeds properly, sincerely, and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and al-Qasd (always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course) whereby you will reach your al-Qasd (i.e. target, Paradise). The deeds of any one of you will not save you from Hell-fire.”  They said: “Even you O Messenger of Allah.” He (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Not even I (will be saved) unless Allah protects me with His Grace and Mercy.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] So a slave’s entry to Paradise and his being saved from Hell is only by Allah’s Grace and Mercy.  The deeds of a man cannot pay even for one of the many blessings of Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) because even the smallest of Allah’s blessings and favours, far outweighs the deeds of man. So we must always bear in mind the rights which Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) has over us.

     3.   It is incumbent upon every Muslim to thank Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala), as Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Al-Baqarah:

فَاذْكُرُونِى أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ

“Therefore, remember Me, I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless favours on you), and never be ungrateful to Me.” (2:152)

 Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said that Shukr (gratitude) is based on five:

• The submissiveness of the grateful slave to the One Who is All-Appreciative.
• His (the slave’s) love of Him.
• The acknowledgment of His Bounties.
• Praising Him with these blessings and speaking about His Blessings and Grace (without boasting or pride).
• Not using them (the blessings) in what He hates.

     4.   The difference between the bestowing of the Creator and the  bestowing of the creation: 

• Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) bestows His blessings on His creatures and He is free of any need of them, while the creature usually gives or bestows only for a purpose or a reason.

• You may need something from the another creature and he may not give you, because he himself is in need of that thing, while Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) is Rich and free of all needs and wants. As He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-An’am (6:14):

هُوَ يُطْعِمُ وَلَا يُطْعَمُ

 “It is He who feeds, but is not fed.”

• You may need a thing from another creature, but if you cannot reach him, then you will remain deprived of that provision.  But you may reach Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) through your invocations to Him and calling unto Him at every time and in every state.

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبُ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَستَجِيبُواْ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِى لَعَلَّهُم يَرْشُدُونَ

“And when My slaves ask you (Muhammed (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) concerning Me, then (answer), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowlegde), I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). so let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.” [Al-Baqarah 2:186]

• If you are careless or neglectful in the service of a creature, he may cut off his provision from you. The disbeliever is neglecting the greatest right of Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala), but still Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) continues His Grace and Bounties on him, as the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)  said: “None is more patient than Allah against the harmful sayings.  He hears from the people that they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to Him, yet He gives them health and (supplies them with) provision.” [Al-Bukhari

     5.   Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) mentioned in the Qur’an that most people are neglectful in giving thanks to Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) for His Blessings and Graces as He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Ghafir (40:61): 

إِنَّ اللهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَكِنَّ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ

“Truly Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, yet most mankind give no thanks.”

Also He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Saba’ (34:13):

وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِىَ الشَّكُورُ 

“But few of My slaves are grateful.”

On the other hand, Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Ar-Rum (30:42):

 قُلْ سِيرُوا فِى الأَرْضِ فَانظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلُ كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّشْرِكِينَ

“Say (O Muhammad(Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)): Travel in the land and see what was the end of those before (you)! Most of them were Mushrikun (polytheists, disblievers in the Oneness of Allah).” 

The greatest Shukr (thanks) that can be given to Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) is to worship Him Alone without associates, as He is the One Who created man from nothing and provided him with sustenance without the help of any one. Does He not then deserve to be worshipped alone? But most people have turned away from this truth and assigned partners to Him. They also attributed whatever good that comes their way to others besides or instead of Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala). In the same way, they seek relief from calamities from the partners they set up with Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala). It is Shirk to attribute all they received of sustenance to creatures just like them. Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (Radia Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)  led us in the Fajr prayer at Hudaibiya after a rainy night. On completion of the Salat (prayer), he (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) faced the people and said, “Do you know what your Lord (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala)  has said (revealed)?”  The people replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” He said, “Allah has said, ‘This morning some of Ibadi (My slaves) remained true believers and some became disbelievers; whoever said that the rain was due to the blessings and the mercy of Allah is the one who believes in Me and he disbelieves in the star, and whoever said that it rained because of a particular star is a disbeliever in Me and a believer in the star.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn Qutaibah (Rahimahullaah) said: “The people during Jahiliyah (the time before Islam) believed that rain falls due to a special star, either it being the cause or by its signs. So the Islamic Law nullified their claim and considered it Kufr (disbelief). Whoever believes that the star caused the rain to fall disbelieved by committing Shirk.” [Al-Fath (2/524)]

Similarly, the statements of some people, “Had it not been for the doctor, my son would have died,” or “Had it not been for the watch dog, my house would have been robbed.” By such statements they attribute the grace and the blessings to others than Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala).

     6.   You have to know that your thanking Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) for His favours has nothing to add to His dominion and likewise your disbelief will not take a thing away from His kingdom. For Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) is Rich, Worthy of all praise. Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) loves to be praised and be thanked, so He will be pleased with the slave who does that, but He hates Kufr and ingratitude. They cause displeasure and anger towards His slave. Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said:

إِن تَكْفُرُواْ فَإِن اللهَ عَنكُمْ وَلَا يَرْضَى لِعِبَادِهِ الْكُفْرَ وَإِن تَشْكُرُواْ يَرْضَهُ

“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allah is not in need of you.  He likes not disbelief for His slaves.  And if you are grateful (by being believers) He is pleased therewith for you.” [Al-Zumar 39:7]

Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) says about Prophet Solomon (‘Alayhissalaam) in Surat An-Naml (27:40):

هَذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّى لِيَبْلُوَنِى ءَأَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّ كَرِيمٌ

“This is by the grace of my Lord – to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his own self, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his own self). Certainly My Lord is Rich (free from all wants), Bountiful.”

And Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’alaa) says about Luqman (the righteous slave) in Surat Luqmqn (31:12):

 وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلهِ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يّشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ

“And indeed We bestowed upon Luqman (wisdom, religious understanding) saying: ‘Give thanks to Allah, and whoever gives thanks, he gives thanks for the good of his own self, and whoever is ungrateful then verily, Allah is Rich Worthy of all praise.’”

     7.   Showing ingratitude to Allah’s blessings and favors may result in the complete removal of these blessings.
Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) mentioned the story of Saba’ (Sheba), how they were living in blessings, abundant wealth, abundant fruits, and they were traveling safely both by night and day without risks:

لَقَدْ كَان لِسَبَإٍ فِى مَسْكَنِهِمْ ءَايَةٌ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ وَشِمالٍ كُلُواْ مِن رِزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لَهُ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ. فَأَعْرَضُوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَاهُم بِجَنَّتَيْهِم جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَىْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَىْءٍ مِّن سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ

“Indeed there was for Saba’ (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling place, two gardens on the right hand and on the left (and it was said to them).  “Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him, a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord.”  But they turned away (from the obedience of Allah); so We sent against them “Sail al-Arim” (flood released from a Dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees.”[Saba’ 34:15-16]

Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) changed their gardens of fruits into thorny trees which bore few or no fruits. Why was that?:

ذَلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُم بِمَا كَفَرُواْ وَهَلْ نُجَازِى إِلَّا الْكَفُورَ

“Like this We requited them because they were ungrateful disbelievers.  And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful, (disbelievers).” [Saba’ 34:17]

وَظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ فَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ وَمَزَّقْنَاهُمْ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍ إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لَأَيَاتٍ لِكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ

“And they wronged themselves, so We made them as tales (in the land), and We dispersed them all totally. Verily, in this are indeed signs for every steadfast, grateful (person).” [Saba’ 34:19] 

Therefore, the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) was always seeking refuge in Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) from the removal of the blessings, in his supplication: Narrated Ibn Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) used to supplicate and say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِن زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نَقْمَتِكَ وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِك

“Allahumma Inni A’Oudhu Bika Min Zawali N’imatika wa Tahawwuli ‘Afiyatika wa Fujaa’at Naqmatika wa Jami’e Sakhatik.”

O Allah! I seek refuge with You against the declining of Your Bounties, and the changing of Your security and suddenness of Your wrath and all Your anger.” [Muslim]

     8.   Al-Halimi (Rahimahullaah) said: “Al-Shakir means He Who praises whoever obeys Him.  Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) praises whoever obeys Him and follows His Shari’ah (Law), and the Qur’an is full of praises for the Prophets, martyrs and the righteous people.” [Al-Minhaj 1/205]
Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) praised His Messenger Muhammad (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) in Surat At-Tawbah (9:128):

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Verily there has come to you a Messenger from among yourself, it grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty.  He is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-Fire), for the believers, he is full of pity, kind and merciful.”

Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) praised the Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions (Radia Allaahu ‘anhum) in Surat Al-Fath (48:29):

 مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللهِ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعاً سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِّنَ اللهِ وَرِضْوانًا سِيمَاهُمْ فِى وُجُهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ

“Muhammad (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)  is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves.  You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good pleasure.  The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers)….”

Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) equally praised Prophet Noah (‘Alayhi As-Salaam)  saying that he was a grateful slave. Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim (‘Alayhi As-Salaam)) was forbearing and used to invoke Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) with humility, and was repentant (to Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) all the time). Moses (‘Alayhi As-Salaam), whom Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) spoke to directly, was chosen. Ismail (‘Alayhi As-Salaam) was true to what he promised, and there are many others whom Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) praised in the Qur’an among His slaves.

     9.   Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said, explaining the Shukr of Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) i.e., that it is the appreciation of Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) , that Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) deserves to be attributed with Al-Shukr more than any Shakur (He is the most ready to appreciate):

a)    He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) bestows upon His slave and guides him to that which he gives thanks for, and He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) appreciates the smallest of deeds and never holds them in contempt. He appreciates the Hasanah (single good deed) by giving it ten times of the like thereof in reward, and up to many more times.

b)    He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) thanks His slaves by praising them among His angels and the people of heaven.

c)    Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) thanks the slave for his performance. If he left something for Allah’s Sake, Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) will give him something better in return, and if he spent something in Allah’s Cause, Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) will return that thing to him multiplied. Although Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) is the One Who guided the person to leave or give away something, He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) is the One appreciating him for doing both deeds. Examples:

·     Prophet Solomon (‘Alayhi As-Salaam) slaughtered a trained horse of the best breed for Allah’s Sake out of anger, because they occupied him from Allah’s remembrance until the time of prayer was over. He didn’t want them to keep him busy from Allah’s remembrance and prayer, again. This is mentioned in Surat Saad (38:31-33).  Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) subjected the wind to him and it blew gently to his order wherever he willed; as indicated in Surat Saad (38:36).

·     When Prophet Yusuf (‘Alayhi As-Salaam)  was burdened with imprisonment for many years, Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) appreciated that and gave him full authority in the land, to take possession therein, when or where he liked.

·     When the Companions of the Prophet (Salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) left their homes and families in Makkah, seeking bounties from Allah  (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) and seeking to please Him, Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) gave them in substitute the victory and conquest such that they opened and possessed the whole world.

d)    Out of Allah’s appreciation is that He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) recompenses even His enemy for the good he does in this world and may relieve or lighten the punishment for him on the Day of Judgement. So He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) does not cause loss of any good done by the disbeliever, even though he may be the most hated person to Him (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala).

e)    Out of Allah’s appreciation also is that He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) forgave the unchaste woman who gave water to a dog that had been eating sand out of sever thirst, and He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) forgave another person for removing a thorny branch from the way of the Muslims.

Just ponder over the following verse:

مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللهُ بِعذَابِكُم إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَءَامَنتُمْ

“What has Allah to do by punishing you if you thanked (Him) and believed in Him.” [An-Nisaa’ 4:147]

That is to say:  Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) refuses to punish His slaves without a crime as He refuses to make their efforts to be in vain.  Al-Shakur (i.e. Most ready to appreciate) never allows the reward of the good-doers to be lost, and never punishes other than the evil-doers.

In this is the answer to the statement of one who claims that Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’alaa) overburdens him beyond his scope, and punishes him for that which is decreed for him.  Allah is far above this lie.

f)     Out of Allah’s Shukr (appreciation) is that He never punishes a Shakur (thanks-giving) believer, and never makes the reward of his deed to be lost, and this is one of the requirements of His Attributes, and He is free from all what contradicts this, as He is free from all defects and deficiencies.

g)    Out of Allah’s Shukr is that He brings the slave out of the Hell-fire because of the least weight of an atom of good he has done, and He will not make the reward of even that little amount of good to be lost on him.

h)    Since Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’alaa) is the only true Shakur, the most beloved among His creation to Him is the one who is attributed with Shukr (giving thanks), and the most hated person to Him among His slaves, is the one who is attributed with ingratitude, and al-Kafour(the ungrateful, the disbeliever). [‘Eddatus-Sabireen pp. 335-337]