What Does Shukr (Gratitude) Mean?

Shukr (Arabic: شكر) is pronounced SHUK-r.

Meaning

Shukr means gratitude and appreciation. In Islam, it begins with noticing that every good thing — life, health, family, food, even the next breath — is a gift from God. Muslim scholars describe shukr at three levels:

• in the heart: recognising that the blessing comes from God, not from our own cleverness alone;
• on the tongue: thanking Him, especially with alhamdulillah (all praise is for God);
• in action: using the blessing well — health in good deeds, wealth in generosity, knowledge in helping others.

The Qur’an gives a promise that has comforted and motivated believers for centuries:

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ ﴿٧﴾

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' "

Interestingly, one of God’s names in the Qur’an is Ash-Shakur, the Most Appreciative: God Himself rewards even small good deeds generously.

How Muslims use it

Muslims express shukr many times a day: alhamdulillah after eating, on waking, after sneezing, when hearing good news. Some prostrate in thanks when they receive great news, a practice called sujud ash-shukr. Gratitude goes hand in hand with sabr (patience): thankfulness in good times, steadfastness in hard ones.

Example

“Instead of complaining about the small flat, he made shukr for having a safe home and kind neighbours.”

Learn more in Alhamdulillah and Gratitude in Islam.