I think most of us understand the concept of gratitude and giving thanks as it pertains to christian religions. But it isn't a concept unique to christianity. Every religion teaches gratitude.
Today I am grateful for diversity and for the beauty and truth found in all religions.
In Judaism (borrowed from Beliefnet.com)
In Judaism, gratitude is a vital component of worship and permeates every aspect of the worshiper's daily life. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the poetry of the Psalms is saturated with thanksgiving to God: "O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever "(30:12) and "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart "(9:1).
The day starts with the Shema, which begins: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might "(Deuteronomy 6:5). The concluding prayer, the 'alenu, thanks God for the particular destiny of the Jewish people.
Thankfulness for everything is appropriate in Judaism because all things come from God in the Hebrew world view; therefore, Jewish life is filled with this recognition. A prayer is said upon hearing good or bad news, and God is praised for everything. In this way,a divine perspective on life is maintained.
In Islam (borrowed from Beliefnet.com)
The Holy Koran,which is divided into chapters called suras, repeatedly asserts the necessity for gratitude and thankfulness to God. For example, in Sura Fourteen it is written: "If you are grateful, I will give you more "(14:7). A traditional Islamic saying states, "The first who will be summoned to paradise are those who have praised God in every circumstance." The prophet Muhammad also said, "Gratitude for the abundance you have received is the best insurance that the abundance will continue." True gratitude, it is taught, draws more abundant graces upon the believer.
The performance of the daily Islamic prayers is considered to be one of the "pillars " of the religion. The essence of the prayer is not to ask nor petition God, but to show everlasting praise and adoration to God for life and mercy.
Another pillar of Islam is fasting during the month of Ramadan. This period is intended to lead believers to a state of gratitude. "He wants you to complete the prescribed period and glorify him that He has guided you, and perchance ye shall be grateful "(Koran,2:185).
In Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam, entire book chapters have been devoted to developing gratitude. Different stages of gratitude are explained: the first is gratitude for the gifts received from God, as we would be grateful for any gift; a higher state is attained when one becomes grateful for not receiving gifts or for being delayed in having a hope fulfilled. In this state one sees the blessings that are veiled in affliction. The final state of gratitude is recognizing that no amount of worship is sufficient to express gratitude to the Creator and that even feelings of gratitude are a gift from God. There is gratitude for the capacity to feel grateful.
