Muslims Still Confused about Finding Sustenance? Even though the secret is in this verse!

darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, 13 November 2025 | 06.00 WIB

In this modern era full of competition, humans seem to live in a never-ending competition. Every morning, thousands of steps race in pursuit of income, opportunity and luck. We work hard, learn strategies, hone our skills, and have the ambition to “move up” in the dialectics of life. However, in the midst of this chaos, the Qur’an actually presents an eternal secret that is simple but often forgotten: gratitude.

Yes, gratitude—a word that is easy to say but hard to do. In the view of the Qur’an, gratitude is not just saying “Alhamdulillah”, but rather a spiritual bridge to abundant sustenance and inner peace. Allah Himself confirms this deeply QS. Abraham verse 7verses that have been the center of reflection for Salaf Ulama and Mufassir for centuries.

And when your Lord declared: If you are grateful, I will surely increase your number; but if you disbelieve, My punishment will be truly severe.

Meaning: “And (remember) when your Lord announced: Indeed, if you are grateful, I will surely increase (favors) to you; and if you deny (My favors), then indeed My punishment will be very painful.” (QS. Ibrahim Verse 7)

This verse is not just a warning, however a divine statement that contains promises and threats at the same time. In Arabic, the structure of this verse is very strong: the use of particles If (conditional oath) and letters N on the word I will upgrade you show a definite promise that will not be broken. This means that Allah’s promise of additional blessings for those who are grateful is absolute promisenot just a moral appeal.

Exploring the Meaning of Gratitude According to Several Tafsir Scholars

1. Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Imam Smail bin Umar bin Kathir al-Dimasyqi said:

And the Almighty said: {And when your Lord gives permission} that is, He knows and promises, {If you are grateful, I will surely add to you} My blessings. Ibn Abbas said: The meaning is that if you unite with Me and believe in Me and see what I have given you, I will surely give you more.

Meaning: “Allah informs and promises: If you thank Me, I will surely increase My blessings upon you. Ibn Abbas said: meaning, if you have monotheism to Me, believe in Me, and realize My blessings, then I will increase them.”

From this interpretation, we understand that True gratitude begins with monotheism—deep awareness that all goodness comes from Allah. Fortune is not the result of clever strategy, but of the grace channeled through our work.

2. Tafsir Al-Baghawi, Ma’lim al-Tanzil

Imam Husain bin Mas’ud al-Baghawi, Darut Toyyibah;

{If you are grateful, I will surely increase you} favors, goodness and sustenance, {And if you disbelieve, indeed My punishment is very heavy}

Meaning: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (favors, goodness and sustenance). And if you disbelieve, then My punishment will truly be very painful.”

Imam Al-Baghawi expands the meaning of “addition” not only to wealth, but also to goodness and blessings of life. Gratitude not only expands material sustenance, but also beautifies life spiritually.

3. Jalalain’s interpretation

Imam Jalaluddin al-Mahalli and Jalaluddin as-Suyuthi, in Tafsir Jalalain said:

{If you are grateful} for the blessings that exist and do not deny them {I will definitely add to you} My blessings {And if you disbelieve then indeed My punishment is very heavy}

Meaning: “If you are grateful for the blessings and do not deny them, I will definitely increase the blessings; and if you disbelieve, then My punishment will be very painful.”

From Jalalain’s interpretation, we learn that Gratitude is an active acknowledgment of Allah’s blessingsnot just a feeling of joy in the heart. It must appear in behavior, in the way we treat those blessings.

The Meaning of Gratitude According to Imam al-Ghozali

In his monumental work Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-DinImam Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad al-Ghozali explained that gratitude has three dimensions:

1. Sincere thanks: Acknowledge that blessings come from Allah.
2. Verbal Gratitude: Say praise to Allah.
3. Gratitude with Charity: Use blessings according to the purpose Allah created them for.

Gratitude means that a servant surrenders everything that Allah has given him for what he has created.

Meaning: “Gratitude is using all of Allah’s blessings for the purpose that Allah created.” (Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, Abu Hamid al-Ghozali, [Darul Ma’rifah: Beirut]That)

In this view, gratitude is not passive. He active response to Allah’s lovewhere a believer proves his gratitude through actions that are beneficial to others and worthy of worship before Allah SWT.

Lessons from the Ulama: Fortune is not always in the form of money

Sheikh Mutawalli ash-Sya’rawi in Al-Haqa’iq wrote:

Sustenance is not just money, but happiness, peace of mind, good morals, and closeness to God.

Meaning: “Sustenance is not just wealth, but also happiness, peace of mind, good morals, and closeness to Allah.” (Al-Haqa’iq, Shaykh Sya’rawi, Darul Ma’rifah)

This view broadens the way we understand “increasing sustenance”. People who are grateful are not necessarily always rich materially, but their hearts are open, their lives are full of blessings, and their steps are guided by Allah SWT.

Are We Really Grateful?

The question is, how often do we really realize the blessings we have?
Health, time, the oxygen we breathe, family, work—all are blessings that we often ignore because we are too focused on pursuing what we don’t yet have.

In fact, Allah has promised: if we are grateful, our blessings will increase.
Ironically, humans are busy calculating shortcomings and forget to appreciate sufficiency.
So, maybe it’s not that we lack sustenance, but… Our gratitude is not enough.

The secret to multiple fortunes is not a business algorithm or financial strategy, but gratitude that lives in the heart. This verse is not just a spiritual promise, but a universal law that continues to apply in human life.

Gratitude breeds abundance. Abundance breeds calm. And from that calmness, Allah sends down the infinite blessings of life.

May we be among those servants who are good at being grateful, so that Allah will continue to increase His blessings in all their forms.

Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.