let your tongue be generous with gratitude

let your tongue be generous 

A well-known saying goes: "If your hand falls short of offering a material reward, let your tongue be generous with gratitude and supplication."

Reciprocating the kindness of a benefactor is an innate trait rooted in loyalty; for hearts are naturally inclined to love those who treat them well. A righteous believer cannot truly be grateful to God without acknowledging the merit of those who have shown kindness. On this matter, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever does not thank people has not thanked God" (narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as *hasan*—good/sound).

In a hadith narrated by Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever receives a kindness and says to the doer, 'May Allah reward you with good' (*Jazak Allahu Khairan*), has truly excelled in expressing praise" (narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, who described it as a *hasan*—good—and *gharib*—unique—hadith).

This hadith indicates that saying "May Allah reward you with good"—a comprehensive supplication embodying all meanings of gratitude—constitutes the ultimate form of praise. By saying this, the person acknowledges their own inability to fully repay or praise the benefactor, thereby entrusting the reward to Allah, who grants the most perfect recompense. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) specified this particular phrase because excessive speech in such a context can amount to flattery or importunity, while insufficient speech implies concealment or a failure to acknowledge the favor. Indeed, the best way for Muslims to greet and acknowledge one another is through words that recall the Hereafter and entrust the matter to Allah. Gratitude takes various forms, one of which is verbal acknowledgment of kindness, whether the act of kindness was small or great. Gratitude also entails reciprocating kindness with kindness; the Almighty says: "Is there any reward for good other than good?" (Ar-Rahman: 60). This is supported by the hadith narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who said: "Whoever is given a gift and has the means should reciprocate it; whoever does not have the means should offer praise, for whoever praises has shown gratitude, and whoever conceals it has shown ingratitude" (narrated by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi). Regarding the Almighty’s saying, "Woe to those who give less [than due]" (Al-Mutaffifin: 1), Muqatil and ‘Amr ibn Murrah stated that failing to reciprocate a favor is a form of such *tatfif* (shortchanging or giving less than due).

Another form of gratitude is supplicating for the benefactor, as stated in the hadith narrated by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both): The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever does you a favor, reciprocate it; if you do not find the means to reciprocate, then supplicate for him until you feel that you have truly reciprocated" (narrated by Abu Dawud and Ahmad).

The phrase "reciprocate it" refers to a return gesture, the nature of which depends on the situation. For some people, reciprocation means giving them something equal to or greater than what they gave you; for others, reciprocation means supplicating for them, as they might not wish to be repaid with money. A person who prays for a benefactor—when unable to offer a material return—attains a reward equal to that of the benefactor. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told the Emigrants (*Muhajirun*) in Medina. Anas narrated: "When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Medina, the Emigrants came to him and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, we have never seen a people more generous with abundance, nor more helpful with little, than the people among whom we have settled. They have relieved us of the burden of provision and shared their earnings with us, to the point where we feared they would take all the reward.' He replied: 'No, not as long as you pray to Allah for them and praise them.'" (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as *Hasan Sahih Gharib*). In a narration by Al-Nasa'i, the Prophet asked: "Do you not praise them for it and pray to Allah for them?" They replied: "Yes." He said: "Then that is equivalent to that."