Seeing Palestine Through the Lens of Shukr and Sabar: A Reflection from Imam al-Ghazali’s Teachings

The tragedy unfolding in Palestine continues to pierce the hearts of Muslims across the world. Images of destruction, pain, and death reach us daily leaving many of us feeling helpless, angry, and overwhelmed. Yet Islam does not leave us without guidance. One of the greatest scholars of our tradition, Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, offers deep insight on how the believer should respond to such trials not just through action, but through the purification of the heart, and the cultivation of sabar (patience) and shukr (gratitude).

Sabar in the Face of Oppression

Imam al-Ghazali, in his magnum opus Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, writes that sabar is the foundation of faith: “Sabar is one half of faith, the other is shukr.” He describes patience not as passive endurance but as a conscious act of resilience, an inner jihad to control the self’s impulses, anger, and despair.

When we look at the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, we are witnessing a living manifestation of sabar. Despite their suffering, they continue to hold onto their faith, their land, and their dignity. According to Imam al-Ghazali, this form of patience is not just noble, it is among the highest spiritual states, because it represents complete reliance on Allah (tawakkul) and contentment (ridha) with His decree.

For Muslims witnessing from afar, we are also called to embody sabar—by restraining ourselves from hopelessness, from despair, and from responding with unjust means. We must be patient in our efforts, consistent in our du’a, and resilient in our advocacy for justice.

Shukr: Gratitude in Times of Ease and Trial

While sabar is often emphasised in the face of calamity, shukr is no less important. Imam al-Ghazali writes that true shukr is not merely saying “Alhamdulillah” with the tongue, it is using every blessing Allah gives us in the way He intends.

If we are living in peace while our brothers and sisters in Palestine are under bombs, then our gratitude must translate into action. Are we using our voices, our wealth, our time, and our influence to help them? If we have the freedom to worship in safety, then our prayers must include sincere du’a for them. If we have access to resources, then our shukr must be shown by spending in their cause.

Imam al-Ghazali teaches that gratitude is perfected only when the heart acknowledges the Giver, the tongue praises Him, and the limbs act in obedience. In this context, shukr means not being paralysed by guilt or grief, but transforming our blessings into fuel for service.

Transforming Pain into Purpose

Through the teachings of Imam al-Ghazali, we are reminded that both sabar and shukr are not emotions—they are states that require training of the soul. Palestine is not just a geopolitical issue; it is a test for the entire Ummah. It tests our compassion, our commitment, our unity, and most importantly, our understanding of Divine wisdom.

In Ihya, Imam al-Ghazali mentions that when a calamity befalls someone else, it is an opportunity for us to reflect, purify, and act. The suffering of the Palestinians should awaken our conscience, cleanse our hearts of arrogance and apathy, and move us to righteous deeds. If we cannot stand beside them in body, let us stand beside them in prayer, in charity, in education, and in spreading the truth.

Lastly

To see what is happening in Palestine through the eyes of sabar and shukr, as Imam al-Ghazali teaches, is to see with the eyes of faith. It is to believe that every drop of blood, every tear, and every prayer is counted by Allah. And it is to believe that our response, no matter how small, has weight in the scales of the Hereafter.

Let us not let our comfort turn into complacency. Let our sorrow turn into resolve. Let our gratitude lead us to action. And let our patience become a form of jihad, the struggle to remain faithful, hopeful, and united until justice prevails.