‘God – There is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.’ (Quran 20: 8)
‘The most excellent Names belong to God: use them to call on Him, and keep away from those who abuse them– they will be revenged for what they do.’ (Quran 7:180)
In this series we have learned that God must be referred to in the way He refers to Himself, or in the way Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) refers to Him.
The Most Appreciative
One of the names God uses to describe Himself is Ash Shakoor, the Most Appreciative. That is to say, He is the One who gives abundantly in response to little. He appreciates the smallest deeds with unlimited appreciation.
The ultimate example of this is the reward of never-ending happiness in Paradise. Paradise is attainable, with great ease, for those who obey God, as much as possible, and when failing to do so, turn to Him with sincere repentance.
Ash Shakoor is the One who rewards the believing servants for their good deeds giving them far more than they deserve. The One who appreciates and rewards all good, no matter how small or intangible, even intentions that are never carried out. God even rewards the good of the sinner or the disbeliever.
Shakoor comes from the root sheen-kaaf-ra. This combination of Arabic letters has three main meanings. The first is to praise or acknowledge beneficence, the second, to be thankful and offer acknowledgment, and the third is to produce and supply abundantly.
The word shukr means to increase, appreciate, and recognize good. Ash Shakoor is exceedingly appreciative and His appreciation and rewards are far beyond what we would expect.
That He may pay them their wages in full and give them even more out of His Grace. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative. (Quran: 35:30)
… And whoever commits a good deed – We will give him and increase in good increase of good therein. Indeed, God is Forgiving and Appreciative. (Quran: 42:23)
Call upon Ash Shakoor
God’s name Ash Shakoor does not imply that He has any obligation to be thankful for our deeds or worship. It means that He is the One who is the Most Thankful, and He gratefully gives large rewards even for small deeds.
One of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad teaches us that God shows abundant appreciation for the things we do, even things we should be doing anyway in the natural course of our daily lives.
‘Whosoever relieves from a believer some grief pertaining to this world, God will relieve from him some grief pertaining to the Hereafter. Whosoever alleviates the difficulties of a needy person who cannot pay his debt, God will alleviate his difficulties in both this world and the Hereafter. Whosoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, God will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. God will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother.’ [1]
Prophet Muhammad also taught us a beautiful supplication that acknowledges the depth and dimensions of Ash Shakoor, the Most Appreciative One.
‘O God, Ash-Shakoor, we know that You are the most appreciative. Aid us to do good, make us of those who help others for Your sake only, and grant us sincerity and patience in our actions. Adorn us with shukr for all You’ve given us and support us to use all these blessings to obey You. Let us taste the ultimate reward, gazing at Your countenance and enjoying happiness forever in Paradise.’ [2]
Shukr is often defined as recognizing and appreciating good deeds and actions. Prophet Muhammad reminds us:
Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face. [3]
Any time we are thankful, or show appreciation for the deeds and actions of others we are emulating Ash Shakoor. God appreciates our actions towards all his creatures not just human beings and Ash Shakoor accepts even the smallest deed and rewards it abundantly.
‘While a man was walking on a road, he became very thirsty. Then, he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself, ‘This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst I did.’ So, he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it with his mouth and gave the dog water to drink. God thanked him for that deed and forgave him.” The people asked, “O God’s Messenger! is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He said, “(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being).’[4]
Note: Names related to Ash Shakoor
Ash Shakir, the Recognizer and Rewarder of Good.
The One who recognizes and rewards a small quantity of deeds and the One who forgives a large quantity of sins. He is the one who multiples the rewards of his sincere servants, He recognizes and rewards those who give thanks, and He remembers those who remember Him.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
God says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.’ “[5]
When we call upon Ash Shakoor or Ash Shakir it is worth remembering that God says:
If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more, and if you are ungrateful, my chastisement is truly severe. (Quran 14: 7)
[1] Saheeh Muslim
[2] Ibid
[3] Saheeh Muslim
[4] Saheeh Bukhari & Muslim
[5] Saheeh Bukhari