This week, let me share a beautiful story from the Sunnah — one that softly calls the heart back to gratitude.

In the stillness of the night, while the world slept, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) would stand in prayer for so long that his feet would become swollen. Alone, in quiet devotion, he would pour himself into worship — out of love, out of humility, out of deep awareness of his Lord.

And this was the one whose sins were already forgiven.

When asked why he would strive in this way, his response was simple, yet profoundly moving: “Should I not be a grateful servant?”

Just those few words … yet they carry a weight that settles deep within the heart.

Allah reminds us in the Koran: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.” (14:7)

Gratitude, then, is not just something we say — it is something we become.

It is in the way we turn to Allah even when we are tired;

In the way we hold on to patience when life feels heavy;

In the quiet “Alhamdulillah” whispered through tears as much as through ease.

Sometimes, we delay gratitude — waiting for life to feel lighter, for problems to disappear, for things to make sense. But this story gently teaches us that gratitude is not born from comfort … it is born from knowing Allah.

Knowing that it is Allah alone that sees all.

That He alone gives.

That He alone withholds with wisdom.

That every moment, even the difficult ones, carries a mercy we may not yet understand.

So this week, pause for a moment.

In the stillness of your day, or the quiet of your night, ask yourself: am I living as a grateful servant?

And perhaps, like Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), we can begin — one sincere step at a time to fully embrace sincere gratitude.

“O Allah, grant me a heart that is full of gratitude, a tongue that remembers You often, and a soul that is content with whatever You decree.”

“O Allah, keep Bermuda safe and at peace. Protect our families, strengthen our community, and make us among those who recognise Your blessings and live with gratitude.”

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam