This is one of the saddest and pettiest downfalls of us humans. When fear or disaster strikes, we rush to the prayer mat and call for help with utmost sincerity. Our connection to Allah shines through and everything becomes clear for a second. But when we are delivered to safety, we turn back on all that and betray the One who saved us. It’s natural to have fear of the future and crumble under a tribulation. But it’s unnatural to be so ungrateful once delivered from that.

Later in the 2nd quarter of the Qur’an, it mentions another set of people who did something similar, but this time with wealth: “And among them are those who made a covenant with Allah, saying, “If He should give us from His bounty, we will surely spend in charity, and we will surely be among the righteous.” But when he gave them from His bounty, they were stingy with it and turned away while they refused.” (9: 75-76)

Again, there is a deep betrayal of promises made to Allah. What’s interesting is that in both passages, one time it concerns children and the other time it concerns wealth. Both of these things are integral to human life but they can also become a fitnah (trial) for us too. “Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.” (64: 15)

What sets things differently – between them being a blessing or a trial – is the presence of just one thing: Gratitude. When we’re grateful for something, we tend to see all the positives and goodness associated with it and we see the Grace of God in it. But if ingratitude sets in, then we only see shortcomings and see nothing but the punishment of God. The result? Well, the end of this 2nd quarter sums it up:

“And remember when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you, but if you deny, then indeed, My punishment is severe.’” (14: 7)