who see everything God does concerning themselves and His servants as a divine blessing, whether it pleases or distresses them. They thank Him in every state. This kind is few in existence, and God informs us of their fewness. The thankful among servants are those who thank God only for what custom names a blessing.
(Verbal, Cognitive, and Practical Gratitude)
Gratitude is a divine description, verbal, cognitive, and practical. Verbal gratitude praises God for what comes from Him as explained. Practical gratitude is His saying, “Basins like reservoirs and firmly fixed cauldrons: work, family of David, in gratitude! Few of My servants are abundantly thankful” [34:13]. This is practical gratitude.
“Speak of your Lord's blessing” [93:11] has an aspect directed toward utterance: mentioning what God has bestowed upon him.
When he mentions customary blessings God has bestowed upon him, such as wealth and knowledge, he makes himself available to be sought for them and gives generously to whoever seeks. This admits you to practical gratitude. Some blessings are concealed: their possessor is not known to possess a blessing and is therefore not sought. When he speaks of what God has given and bestowed upon him, people seek him concerning it. Hence he is commanded to speak of blessings. Speaking of blessings is gratitude, and giving of them is gratitude upon gratitude, combining remembrance and action. He says, “Praise belongs to God, the Bestower of Blessings and Favour.”
Notes
Translator’s note TN4121-1: Speaking about wealth or knowledge is linked to practical gratitude because it allows others to seek and receive the blessing. The source expressly joins verbal mention to giving, calling the latter gratitude upon gratitude.
