A BLESSING YOU MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED

 

FAJR REMINDER: A BLESSING YOU MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED
By: Umm Affān
Rabī‘ Al-Akhīr 17, 1448 (29 September 2026)

Occasionally, a blessing can become so familiar that we no longer appreciate it.

We wake each morning, breathing effortlessly, opening our eyes to see, hearing the sounds around us, walking on our own feet, eating, drinking, conversing, and going about our daily routines as though these things are guaranteed. But they are not.

Each new day is a gift from Allāh.

Allāh (ﷻ) states:

“And if you would count the Graces of Allāh, never could you be able to count them. Truly! Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Sūrah An-Naḥl 16:18]

We may become so accustomed to our blessings that we only recognize their value when they are lost.

We appreciate good health during illness, the presence of loved ones when they are gone, sight when it becomes impaired, and time when it has already passed.

Genuine gratitude goes beyond merely saying Alḥamdulillāh. It involves acknowledging the Giver behind every blessing, worshipping Him Alone, and using His gifts in ways that please Him.

Allāh (ﷻ) says:

“And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: If you give thanks (by accepting faith and worshipping none but Allāh), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe.”

[Sūrah Ibrāhīm 14:7]

Gratitude transforms our perspective on life. It teaches us to recognize abundance where we previously saw scarcity.

This does not mean that we cannot aspire for more or ask Allāh for improvement. Rather, gratitude protects the heart from being consumed by a constant sense of lack.

A person who constantly compares themselves with others may possess much yet feel deprived, while someone who recognizes Allāh’s Blessings can feel content with less.

Abū Hurayrah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said:

“Look at those below you and do not look at those above you, lest you belittle the Favors of Allāh.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2963]

In addition, there is one blessing that many of us take for granted every day: the gift of repentance.

Waking up today means your story continues.

Whatever mistakes you made yesterday, whatever sins you committed, Allāh has granted you another morning to return to Him.

Anas Ibn Mālik (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“All of the children of Ādam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent.”

[Sunan at-Tirmidhī 2499]

Consider the mercy in that.

Each new sunrise offers another opportunity to pray, seek forgiveness, mend what is broken, give charity, and perform good deeds that may lead to our salvation.

Sometimes, the blessing we are desperately asking Allāh for is not something new. It may be a blessing we already possess but have simply stopped recognizing.

So, before dwelling on what is lacking, and before allowing yesterday’s worries to occupy your heart, take a moment to reflect upon what Allāh has already given you.

Say to yourself:

“I can breathe. I can see. I can hear. I can move. I have another day to pray, repent, supplicate, and do good.”

Then say Alḥamdulillāh—and truly mean it.

Gratitude does not mean pretending that life is without difficulties. It means recognizing the countless gifts with which Allāh surrounds us, even amidst our imperfections.

‘Ubaydullāh Ibn Miḥṣan (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever among you wakes up secure in his property, healthy in his body, and he has his food for the day, it is as if he were given the entire world.”

[Sunan at-Tirmidhī 2346]

How many of us woke up this morning with blessings that the Prophet (ﷺ) described as being like possessing the entire world, yet began the day focusing only on what we lacked?

Perhaps today, we should change the question.

Instead of asking:

“What am I missing?”

Let us ask:

“What has Allāh already bestowed upon me?”

Look around you, and look within.

Reflect upon the blessings you may have stopped noticing simply because they have become familiar:

Your heartbeat.
Your breath.
Your family.
Your nourishment.
Your home.
Your ability to worship.
Your ability to make Du‘ā’.
And the opportunity to repent.

Your unanswered prayers may be numerous, but so too are the blessings you have already received.

Never allow what you are waiting for to make you blind to what you already have.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to guide us to recognize His Blessings, grant us hearts that are grateful in times of ease and patient during hardship, and inspire our tongues to remember Him with sincere gratitude.

Aameen.