Is the word "thank you" and "please" forbidden if a man says "thank you" to his friend, and we believe that gratitude is directed only to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)?
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The questioner : From the sender, A. A. H. from Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Al-Batha. This message reached us, and it says: Is the word "thank you" and "please" forbidden if a man says "thank you" to his friend, and we believe that gratitude is directed only to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)?
The Shaykh : What a person to whom a favor has been done should do is not to limit himself to saying "thank you," but rather to say, "May Allah reward you with good," if a monetary reward is not appropriate in such a situation. He should then make a supplication for him, saying, "May Allah reward you with good, may Allah help you, may Allah preserve you," and the like.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for limiting oneself to saying "thank you," it is a shortcoming in reciprocating the favor, but even so, there is nothing wrong with it. There is nothing wrong with a person thanking someone other than Allah.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : For the kindness done to him. And Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) said regarding Luqman, or rather, Allah the Exalted said:[Luqman 31:14] [Luqman 31:14].
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He said:[Luqman 31:14] This indicates that it is permissible to express gratitude to Allah the Exalted and also to others who have bestowed a blessing upon you. Just as a blessing can come from someone other than Allah, gratitude for it can also be directed to someone other than Allah. Allah the Exalted said to His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): [Al-Ahzab 33:37] As for saying "please," it is also permissible if one asks him for something he is able to fulfill, such as asking him to resolve a problem or to help in a matter for any purpose that he is capable of carrying out. This is also permissible because it falls under the category of seeking his assistance. Yes.
The Shaykh : What a person to whom a favor has been done should do is not to limit himself to saying "thank you," but rather to say, "May Allah reward you with good," if a monetary reward is not appropriate in such a situation. He should then make a supplication for him, saying, "May Allah reward you with good, may Allah help you, may Allah preserve you," and the like.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for limiting oneself to saying "thank you," it is a shortcoming in reciprocating the favor, but even so, there is nothing wrong with it. There is nothing wrong with a person thanking someone other than Allah.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : For the kindness done to him. And Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) said regarding Luqman, or rather, Allah the Exalted said:
Be grateful to Me and to your parents
أن اشكر لي ولوالديكHis mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.
ووصينا الإنسان حملته أمه وهنا على وهن وفصاله في عامين أن اشكر لي ولوالديك إلي المصيرThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He said: