Ruhul Amin: Let us honor the true spirit of Thanksgiving

Next week, we will celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. This day is to celebrate the event when Pilgrims shared a meal with Native Americans and thanked them for helping with a successful first harvest.

In the past, various dates were declared to celebrate this day by individual states until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November as a day of Thanksgiving. While there are differences in opinions about the history related to this day, that is not the topic of today’s column.

Let us look at this day from a spiritual point. Are we thankful when we wake up every morning? Are we thankful when we go to sleep every night for the blessings we enjoyed throughout the day?

We are very quick to complain when we do not get what we want. When Moses liberated his people from the Pharaoh and settled in the valley of Sinai, God provided water when there was none by asking Moses to hit the ground with his staff, which resulted in 12 streams. God sent food for them from the Heaven.

Despite all these blessings, after a while they started to complain, resulting in punishment from God. God said, “If you are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; but if you show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed” Quran [14:7].

God sent us to this world for a limited time to watch how we lead our lives, which will ultimately decide the status of the eternal life of the Hereafter. Through the tribulations of this world, we must never forget to thank God for His blessings.

He said, “If you want to count the blessings of God, you will never be able to.” [Quran 16:18]. We know that being thankful during good times is much easier. However, one of the tests in life is to be grateful even during hardship.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The character of a true believer is amazing. When good things happen to him, he is thankful, and when difficulties befall on him, he is patient and thankful.”

Maintaining an attitude of thanking God is a weapon for our spiritual growth. It is the key to the door that draws us closer to God. When we do not feel like giving thanks because things are difficult, it is in fact the most perfect time to give thanks to God.

We must never forget that God loves us. He has a plan for all of us and we must accept His plan happily even if it contradicts ours.

He said, “They make plans, and God also makes plans; verily, God is the best of planners” [Quran 3:54].

As the Thanksgiving holiday has a link to the Native Americans, let us take this opportunity to know them more by seeking out their authors, artists, chefs, and supporting their work.

When planning our meals for Thanksgiving, consider buying foods from Native American growers in our area. Let us honor the true spirit of Thanksgiving.