RECEIVING GOD’S BLESSINGS WITH AWARENESS

When blessings come to you through “apparent causes,” do not receive them in the name of those apparent causes, rather be aware of the Real Cause of that blessing…
If the apparent cause associated with that blessing does not have free will, like a tree giving fruit or a bee offering honey, it directly gives in God’s name anyway. For, it says bismillah, “in God’s name” through its very actions… Hence, you also take it in God’s name, saying bismillah.

Now, if a blessing comes to you and the apparent cause of it is a conscious being with free will, then take it only if the person says or acts with bismillah, or in God’s name. That is, you should only receive the benefit of a blessing in God’s name, which means that you attribute the blessing to God. If the person who is associated with giving you the blessing is not giving in God’s name, then do not take it. For, the Quran states, “and, do not eat of that over which God’s name has not been pronounced,” (Quran, 6:121) which implies that one should not accept a gift that does not remind one of the Real Giver, and is not given in His name.

In sum, both the one who gives a gift and the one who takes should invoke God’s name. If a person is not giving in God’s name and yet you are in need of what he is offering, then at very least you take in God’s name. Say, bismillah, and recognize the mercy of God as the real giver above that person, and take the blessing with gratitude to God. That is, take a moment to acknowledge the kindness [in‘am] present within that gift. As you notice acts of kindness and giving, be aware of the Real Giver who is the real agent behind them. [Mun’im al- Haqiqi] Such awareness itself is a kind of gratitude to the Giver. Then, pray for the person who was the means through which God’s gift reached you…
~Said Nursi, Flashes, 17th Flash.