**Subject: God Almighty as al-Shākir and al-Shakūr**
Dear teacher,
You once wrote that the essence of gratitude is to value a good deed done for us: to recognise the worth of a blessing, express that recognition, and use the blessing in the way and for the purposes intended. But God is the giver of blessings and the source of all beneficence, and no one does Him a good turn. In that case, how can God be called “Grateful” (al-Shākir) and “Most Appreciative” (al-Shakūr)? This is one perspective.
Let me also offer a second perspective, with an example.
A person performs the prayer according to the measure of their understanding. There is a report that Imam al-Bāqir (peace be upon him) said: “At times, only half of a servant’s prayer is accepted; at other times, a third, a quarter, or a fifth. In general, only the portion of the prayer performed with full presence of heart is accepted.” (Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa, vol. 3, p. 52)
In view of God’s being al-Shakūr, could He not accept that person’s prayer in full, rather than making its acceptance conditional on the degree of their presence of heart? The person intended—and still intends—to fulfil the divine obligation, though in practice their prayer reflects the limits of their understanding…
Dear teacher, if possible, please explain what it means for God to be al-Shakūr and al-Shākir. How is God “Most Appreciative”?
Thank you, and please remember us in your prayers.
َّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ