‘Arif billah Hadhrat Dr. Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

“Being thankful to Allah for any of the blessings is like investing in an insurance policy. That is, the principle amount invested remains safe and moreover it increases over time.” 

What is thankfulness?

Acknowledging that,

1. This blessing is from Allah.

2. Allah has provided it to me without me being eliglible(musteheq) for it.

3. Allah has the power to remove it from me any time and without any reason.

Realization of these leads to utilization of this blessing in being more obidient to Allah and not using it to displease Him. Without this realization it is only superficial verbal thankfulness and not the real required praise-worthy moral.