Commentary

Unlock the hidden power of Alhamdulilah: How gratitude can transform your life

“Achooooo!” went little Ali, sniffling and cleaning his nose with his cute blue handkerchief.

“You forgot to say something, Ali,” said his mother.

“ALHAMDULILAH!” Ali said loudly, without even knowing what it meant.

And the mother-son duo went about their day.

We’ve all been there—saying “Alhamdulilah” after sneezing, or perhaps after something small and ordinary happens.

But do we really pause to think about what it means? Often, we say the words out of habit or tradition.

But the power of this simple phrase, Alhamdulilah—which roughly translates to “All thanks to Allah”—can hold much more significance when we internalise it and reflect on it beyond the surface.

To be able to thank God makes you realise the blessings in your life that you often overlook—the simple yet profound gifts that make up your everyday existence.

We rarely take a moment to appreciate our healthy and able bodies, our families, a warm home, or the ability to prepare a nourishing meal for those we love. And yet, these are blessings that, when truly acknowledged, fill our hearts with gratitude.

Even more fundamentally, the very gift of life—the fact that we exist today—is something we often take for granted.

Yet, they are the very things that make life beautiful, fulfilling, and meaningful. When you truly internalise Alhamdulilah, you recognise that each of these moments is a blessing.

When you adopt the practice of gratitude, you’ll quickly realise that negativity begins to lose its grip on your life.

It’s as if the space where complaints or frustrations used to occupy is now filled with a deep sense of appreciation. 

M.Scott Peck begins his book, The Road Less Travelled, with these beautiful lines

“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.”

The thing about life is that it is difficult for everyone in one way or another. Every person faces their own set of challenges, whether they are visible or hidden.

Life is not easy, but the key to resilience lies in gratitude. The power lies in training your brain to choose between blessings and hardships. Gratitude does not mean ignoring the difficulties, but it encourages us to focus on what is going right, what we have, and how we can make the best of any situation.

It’s the act of recognising that even amid hardship, there are countless blessings—big and small—that deserve our thanks and actually enable us to deal with those hardships.

When we become conscious of these blessings, we start to realise that more often than not, the scales tip in favour of the good, not the bad.

Even scientifically speaking, the benefits of gratitude are real. Research shows that practising gratitude can have profound effects on both mental and physical health.

Studies indicate that gratitude helps release dopamine and serotonintwo crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions, or in other words, the “feel-good” hormones—leading to a happier, calmer state of mind.

It has been shown to reduce stress, improve sleep, and even strengthen the immune system.

Teaching your children the art of gratitude is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them.

By modelling gratitude, you help them build emotional resilience and equip them with the right tools to tackle whatever challenges life throws in their way as they grow.

Children who are taught to appreciate even the smallest blessings tend to have better emotional well-being, stronger social relationships, and healthier coping mechanisms.

The best part about gratitude is that it does not cost even a dime and is readily available to all of us, no matter where we are or what we’re going through.

Today, let us make a commitment to ourselves to say Alhamdulilah more intentionally.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed or stressed, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and say “Alhamdulilah”—and truly feel the power of those words in your heart.

You will soon notice that even in the most challenging moments, there is always something to be grateful for.

 

Ambreen Rasool is the founder of The Quillers’ Club and author of the book ‘The Adventures of Iya and Zoey’. 

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