Chapter 10

Be Appreciative

If a person is generousand charitable with the wealth that he has ac-
quiredfromhardwork,theappreciationandnoticegiveninresponseto
suchactswillwarmthatperson'sinnerfeelingsandgivehimafeelingof
accomplishment.Actsofgoodwillmaythenbecomesecondnaturetothe
personwherebyitbecomesahabittospendandshareone's wealthfor
thoseinneed.However,iftheactsofgoodwillaretakenforgrantedand
unappreciated,the personmaylose thedesireanddriveto dogood.It
would be naturalfor a person to concludethat it wasawaste to give
away his hard earned money when it was unappreciated.

Gratitude andappreciation are admirable characteristicsin a person
anditisthesecretbywhichonemayattractcharitableacts.EvenAllah
has mentioned that gratitude for His blessings are conditional on the
continual perpetuation of his grace upon mankind:

'AndwhenyourLord madeitknown:Ifyouaregratefulwouldcer-
tainlygive toyoumore,andifyou areungrateful.My chastisementis
fully severe’ (14:7)

DearMadam!Yourhusbandisalsohuman.Likeeveryoneelse,heen-
joysbeingappreciated.Heiswillingtosupporthisfamilyandregardsit
asamoralandlawfulobligation. Whenheisthankedandappreciated
for doing his duty, those duties no longer seem to be a burden.

Whenever he buys home appliances or something like clothes and
shoes for you and the children, be happy and thank him. Show your
gratitudeforthetrivial thingshedoessuchasbuyinggroceries,taking
thefamilyontripsandgivesyouyourallowance.Byshowingyourap-
preciation,youwillmakeyourhusbandfeelgoodandrewardedforthe
trouble he has taken. Be careful that you do not take his duties for