Surah Al-'Adiyat — Verse 6

Word Meanings:

• Al-Kanud (لكَنُودٌ): This is a strong Arabic term that describes someone who is extremely ungrateful, denies blessings, and withholds what is due. It combines ingratitude toward Allah with a refusal to acknowledge His favors, and it also implies a tendency to withhold good from others.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this profound verse, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) declares a fundamental truth about human nature: "Indeed, mankind is, to his Lord, ungrateful."

The term *kanud* here is rich in meaning. It refers to a person who consumes Allah’s blessings but fails to acknowledge their Source. Such a person uses the gifts of health, wealth, and time as if they were self-earned rights, never pausing to thank the Giver. This ingratitude is not passive—it manifests actively in two ways: first, by denying the countless favors of Allah through words or actions, and second, by withholding the rights of others, such as charity, kindness, and assistance, which Allah has commanded.

The verse highlights that this ungratefulness is directed specifically toward the Lord—the One who created, sustains, and continuously showers mercy upon humanity. Despite the undeniable evidence of Allah’s care—the air we breathe, the food we eat, the hearts that beat without our command—many still turn away in arrogance or heedlessness.

A Call to Reflection and Gratitude:

Dear reader, pause and reflect on this verse as a mirror for your own soul. Are we among those who recognize every blessing as a gift from Allah, or do we fall into the trap of ingratitude? The remedy is simple yet profound: *gratitude*. When you wake up each morning, thank Allah for the breath of life. When you eat, remember the Provider. When you succeed, attribute it to His mercy, not your own cleverness.

Islam teaches us that gratitude is not merely a feeling—it is a way of life. It transforms a person from being *kanud* (ungrateful) to being *shakur* (abundantly thankful), a quality beloved to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would stand in prayer at night until his feet swelled, and when asked why, he replied: *"Should I not be a grateful servant?"*

So let this verse be a gentle wake-up call: your Lord has never stopped giving to you. Will you not stop and give thanks to Him? Gratitude opens the doors of increase, as Allah promises: *"If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]."* (Ibrahim 14:7). Embrace thankfulness today, and watch how your heart finds peace and your life finds barakah (blessing).