Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
There are countless bounties and blessings of Allah Ta‘ala upon his servants. Consider the bounty of good health – it is such a priceless bounty of Allah Ta‘ala that even an entire kingdom cannot equate it in value. If a king falls extremely ill, and he is told that there is no way for him to regain his health but to sacrifice his entire kingdom, then he would definitely be prepared to do so.
Likewise, consider the bounty of food and drink. Allah Ta‘ala has made the bounty of basic food and drink easily available for His servants. Imagine a person who is dying of severe thirst and there is no water available anywhere around. If such a person is offered a single glass of water in exchange of him paying one hundred thousand of the wealth he has, then in order to save his life, he will definitely be prepared to pay it.
Just as we have understood the value of good health and water, we should likewise appreciate every other favour and bounty of Allah Ta‘ala. If we trivialize any bounty of Allah Ta‘ala and regard it to be insignificant, then only at the time when we are deprived of this bounty will we come to understand its true worth and appreciate how valuable it is.
Allah Ta‘ala, out of His infinite grace and sheer mercy, allows all people to benefit from His bounties without any charge (e.g. water, food, drink, air, etc.). We should thus ensure that we express true appreciation and gratitude to Allah Ta‘ala for every favour and bounty that He blesses us with.
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 12/108)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za