The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Whoever does not thank people, does not thank Allah.” [reported by Ahmad]

Allah is the ONLY One who is self-sufficient and is not in need of His creation.  The rest of us, however, are not self-sufficient or completely independent (although we may think we are).  In fact, Allah mentions that it is a folly of human beings, and even a fatal flaw to think this when He says, “Nay, but indeed man thinks he is self-sufficient”.  So being ungrateful or not admitting being a human being who has flaws and needs which we are powerless to fill ourselves is even a characteristic of disbelief. 

Therefore, although it is a good quality to try to be independent and not be dependent on other people, still at times you will find that you do need the help of your parents, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters.  And since it is presumptuous and arrogant to try to pretend that you did not receive help when in fact you did, it behooves a Muslim with proper manners to acknowledge each thing received from someone else.  This could be money and other material objects, and as well it can be intangible things such as time, effort, prayers, support,love, or even an idea. 

Not only are we required as Muslims to be truthful (hence admitting that you received help or giving credit where credit is due) but as well we must be well-mannered and grateful.  And of course this only benefits us in the long run. The sign of a petty person is one who cannot be grateful, claiming and boasting they did everything themselves.  A noble person is truthful, honest, and matter of fact about the reality of a situation.  And as well in being grateful we are actually ensuring our emotional states are calm and peaceful. 

So make sure you say often:

Jazakallah
Jazakillah
Jazakumullah
Jazakallahu khayran

(and say it like you mean it- be specific like jazakallah for helping us register our students, jazakillah for helping me carry these groceries, etc.)

As well wives do not forget to thank your husbands as ingratitude to your husband is the reason most of the inhabitants of Hell are women:

“...I saw most of its inhabitants [Hellfire] were women.  They [the Companions] said:  Why, O Messenger of Allah?  He said:  Because of their kufr.  It was said:  Their kufr toward Allah?  He said:  Their kufr toward their husband and they commit kufr (ingratitude) of good deeds extended even if you extend good deeds to one of them forever but then she sees something (which she dislikes) she says: I have never seen any good from you.” [collected in Muslim & Bukhari]

A lot of us women actually say this exact thing, may Allah preserve us!  And so let’s take a small step in our lives, although we are emotional and it is difficult, to at least never utter this statement of the women of Hellfire. 

Cross the phrase “you NEVER do anything nice...you NEVER did this and that” off our lists forever.
This is just a beginning step in something which unfortunately plagues a lot of households nowadays.

And make an especial du’aa for your parents which Allah taught us in the Quran:

RabbirHamhumaa kamaa rabbayanee sagheeraa.
O Lord, have mercy on them both (your mother and father) as they did raise me when I was small.

It does not need to be elaborated upon in this piece the fact that after Allah we owe our parents our utmost effort in obedience, devotion, and of course, gratitude.

So try your best in this age of negativity to thank people and of course always thank Allah for all the big and small blessings in your life.  You will only benefit your own spiritual as well as psychological well-being.

Walhamdulillahi rabbil ‘alamin.