Contentment

"Be content with that which Allah has given you, you will be the richest of people."

Wealth, appearance, children, house, and talents - you must be content with your share in these things:

"So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful."
[Surah al-A’raf; 144].


Most Islamic scholars and pious Muslims of the early generations of Islam were poor, needless to say they had no beautiful houses or nice vehicles, cars and grandeur. Yet, despite these disadvantages, they led fruitful lives, and they benefited mankind, not by some miracle, but because they used all that they were given, and spent their time in the correct way. Hence they were blessed in their lives, their time, and their talents.

On the contrary, there are many people who have been bestowed with wealth, children, and all forms of blessings, yet these blessings have been the very reason for their misery and ruin. They deviated from what their inborn instincts were telling them, namely, that material things are not everything. Look at those that have obtained degrees from world- renowned universities, and yet they are paragons of obscurity. Their talents and abilities remain unused. While others who are limited in the scope of their knowledge have managed to make mountains out of what they have been given, benefiting both individual and society.

If you are a seeker of happiness, be satisfied with the looks Allah has favoured you with, with your family situation, with the sound of your voice, with the level of your understanding, and with the amount of your salary. Certain educators go further than this by saying that you should imagine being contented with even less than you have now.


Here are some examples from our Islamic heritage of those who shone despite each being challenged by various disadvantages:

‘Ala ibn Rabali was a world-renowned scholar of his time. He was not only a freed slave and snub-nosed with peppery hair, but he was also paralysed.

Al-Ahnaf ibn Qais is famous for extra ordinary patience among the Arabs. Being extremely emaciated, humpbacked, with crooked legs and a fragile frame challenged him.

Therefore your value is in your abilities, good deeds, manners, and contribution to society. Do not feel grief, then, over that which has passed you by in life in terms of good looks, wealth or family; and be content with what Allah has allotted for you.

"It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world."
[Surah az-Zukhruf; 32].