---
title: "What Does Shukr (Gratitude) Mean? | Islam Is Mercy"
description: "Shukr means gratitude to God — felt in the heart, spoken with the tongue and shown through actions. The Qur'an promises that gratitude brings more blessings."
lang: en
url: https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/shukr/
---

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3.  What Does Shukr (Gratitude) Mean?

# What Does Shukr (Gratitude) Mean?

Written by **Islam Is Mercy Editorial Team**· 1 min readAwaiting scholar review

## The short answer

Shukr means gratitude, especially gratitude to God. In Islam it has three parts: recognising a blessing in the heart, thanking God with the tongue, and using the blessing in ways that please Him. The Qur'an promises that those who are grateful will be given more.

## On this page

1.  Meaning
2.  How Muslims use it
3.  Example

**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.' "

[Qur'an, Ibrahim 14:7](https://quran.com/14?startingVerse=7&translations=20)Saheeh International

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](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/alhamdulillah/) and [Gratitude in Islam](https://islamismercy.com/en/views/gratitude-in-islam/).

## Key takeaways

-   Shukr means gratitude to God for His blessings.
-   It lives in the heart, on the tongue and in our actions.
-   The Qur'an promises increase to those who are grateful.

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## Sources

-   [Qur'an, Ibrahim 14:7](https://quran.com/14?startingVerse=7&translations=20)

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## Keep reading

[Glossary

### What Does Alhamdulillah Mean?

Alhamdulillah means "all praise is for God". Muslims say it to express gratitude many times a day — in good times and in hard times.

Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/alhamdulillah/)[Islam's View On…

### Why Does Islam Put So Much Emphasis on Gratitude?

Gratitude (shukr) is at the heart of Islamic faith. Learn what the Qur'an says about thankfulness to God and to people, and how gratitude increases blessings.

Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/views/gratitude-in-islam/)[Glossary

### What Does Sabr (Patience) Mean?

Sabr means patience and steadfastness: holding firm in hardship, in doing good and in avoiding wrong. Muslims see it as half of faith in practice.

Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/sabr/)