from "Patience & Gratitude" by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

It was reported that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam stayed up all night, standing until his feet became swollen. When he was asked, "Why are you doing this, when Allah has forgiven all your past and future wrong actions?" He replied, "Should I not be a grateful slave?" [al Bukhari & Muslim]

The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam told Mu`adh radhiallahu `anhu, "By Allah, I love you, so do not forget to say at the end of every salah, 'O Allah, help me to remember You and to give thanks to You and to worship You well.'" [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi]

Hisham ibn `Urwah said: "Among the du`aa of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam is: 'O Allah, help me to remember You, to give thanks to You and to worship You well.'"

Ibn `Abbas radhiallahu `anhu narrated that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "There are four qualities, whoever is given them has truly been given the best in this world and the next. They are: a grateful heart [that is thankful to Allah], a remembering tongue [that mentions Allah often], an enduring body [to persevere through the trials which Allah may send and a faithful wife [who does not cheat him of her body or his wealth."

Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad reported from A`ishah radhiallahu `anha that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "No blessing is bestowed on a slave and he realises that it is from Allah, but the reward of giving gratitude for it is written for him. Never does Allah know the regret of His slave for a wrong action he has committed but Allah forgives his wrong action before the slave seeks forgiveness. No man buys a garment with his own money then puts it on and thanks Allah, but Allah will have forgiven him all his wrong action before the garment reaches his knees."

The Prophet salllallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Allah is pleased with His slave if, when he eats something, he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something, he thanks Allah for it." [Muslim]

Shu`bah said: "Al-Fadl ibn Fudalah narrated that Abu Rajah al-`Utaridi said: 'Once we saw `Imran ibn al-Husayn wearing beautiful clothes that we have never seen before or since. `Imran told us that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "If Allah bestows His blessing on HIs slave, He likes to see the effect of that blessing on him."'"

Ibn Shu`aib narrated from his father and grandfather that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Eat, drink and give sadaqah without being extravagant or showing off, as Allah likes to see the effect of His blessing on His slave."

Shu`bah narrated from Abu Ishaq from Abu`l-Akhwas who narrated that his father said: "I came to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam looking dishevelled and scruffy. He asked me, 'Do you have any possessions?' I said, 'Yes.' He asked me what sort and I told him, 'I have all sorts. Allah has given me camels, horses, slaves and sheep.' The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, 'If Allah has given you all of that, then let Him see His blessings on you.'"

Abu`d -Dunya narrated the hadith of Abu `Abdi`r Rahman as-Silmi from ash-Sha`bi, from an-Nu`man ibn Bashir, who said: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Speaking of Allah's blessing is gratitude and ignoring it is ingratitude (kufr). The one who does not give thanks for a small blessing will not give thanks for a great blessing, and the one who does not give thanks to people will not give thanks to Allah. To be with a group is a blessing and to be alone is a punishment."

Ibn Abi`d-Dunya narrated that `A`ishah radhiallahu `anha said that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam entered upon her one day and saw a small piece of bread on the floor, so he picked it up and wiped it, then told her: "O `A`ishah, treat the blessings of Allah with respect, for when it departs from a household, it may never come back to them."

Ad-Darwadi narrated from `Amr ibn Abi Amr from Sa`id al-Maqburi from Abu Hurairah radhiallahu `anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Allah said: 'The position of the believer in relation to Me is of the best - he praises Me even when I am pulling the soul from his body."

Abu Hurairah radhiallahu `anhu narrated that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "If any of you would like to see the great blessings of Allah on him, then let him look at those who are less fortunate than him, not those who appear better off than him."