The Signs of the Grateful in Islamic Texts and the Psychological Effects of Gratitude

Gratitude is a moral virtue and one of the most important Islamic teachings. The obligation to be grateful can be proved based on the Quran. Islamic propositions have determined certain signs and characteristics for the grateful that can be classified into cognitive, emotional and practical. Since the occurrence and duration of gratitude requires the identification of these symptoms and since the explanation of its effects is motivating for people and clarifies its effective role in mental health and human development, the current study sought to identify these criteria and signs and extract their psychological effects.

The current study is descriptive-analytical. It seeks to discover and identify the characteristics of thankful people and to identify the psychological effects of gratitude on thankful people with a Quranic-narrative approach. Based on this, first, the characteristics of the grateful were identified in Islamic texts, focusing on the verses of the Quran and the Prayers of the Grateful by Imam Sajjad (a.s.). Then, through content analysis and review of the verses, interpretations and traditions of the Innocents (a.s.), an attempt was made to identify and explain the psychological effects of these characteristics. The authors reported no conflict of interests.

Gratitude happens with recognition and knowledge of the blessings and the bestower of the blessings. By focusing on material and spiritual possessions and conscious attention to the surrounding signs, s/he shows his/her gratitude, which is intertwined with knowledge and emotional reactions, in practice and tries to do something in gratitude. These practical manifestations of gratitude, for the follower of the Quran, appear in the form of commitment to the divine decrees and lead to the development of dignified and responsible individuals who can practice self-restraint via changing the knowledge and beliefs, reducing unhealthy emotions, and attracting social support.

Gratitude is the minimum condition for servitude (to God) and religious beliefs and commitment to practice the required religious behaviors in gratitude to the Benefactor, reduce confusion, anxiety and concern leading to mental health and, finally, the development of perfect and religious individuals.