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Contentment is an emotional state of satisfaction that can be seen as a mental state, maybe drawn from being at ease in one’s situation, body and mind. Colloquially speaking, contentment could be a state of having accepted one’s situation and is a milder and more tentative form of happiness. Wikipedia
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاء وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ذَلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاللّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ
The lust (extreme desire) towards women and children, of hoarded treasures of gold and silver, of branded beautiful horses and cattle and well-tilled land, is made to seem beautiful to men; this is the provision of the life of this world; and Allah is the best Shelter in His presence. Al Quran Al-Imran: 14
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَصِينٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ لَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ ”
Narrated Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه The Prophetﷺ said, “Riches does not mean, having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment”. Sahih al Bukhari: 6446
We live in an increasingly materialistic world. All our virtues surround the possession of physical assets. We are entangled with questions of; how much, how many, and what more?
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَخْلَدٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَطَاءً، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ لَوْ أَنَّ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ مِثْلَ وَادٍ مَالاً لأَحَبَّ أَنَّ لَهُ إِلَيْهِ مِثْلَهُ، وَلاَ يَمْلأُ عَيْنَ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ، وَيَتُوبُ اللَّهُ عَلَى مَنْ تَابَ ”. قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَلاَ أَدْرِي مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ هُوَ أَمْ لاَ. قَالَ وَسَمِعْتُ ابْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: I heard Allahﷻ’s Messengerﷺ saying, “If the son of Adam had money equal to a valley, then he will wish for another similar to it, for nothing can satisfy the eye of Adam’s son except dust. And Allahﷻ forgives him who repents to Him.” Ibn `Abbas said: I do not know whether this saying was quoted from the Qur’an or not. `Ata’ said, “I heard Ibn AzZubair saying this narration while he was on the podium.” Sahih al Bukhari: 6437
In this quest of more and more we even forget the blessings we have from Allahﷻ. We have become slaves of our peer pressure and social status in attainment of more worldly pleasures. The race for getting bigger houses, more property, latest cars, Gold and latest fashion has clocked us in a way that we have forgotten the true essence of our lives.
قَالَ ” فَأَبْشِرُوا وَأَمِّلُوا مَا يَسُرُّكُمْ، فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ الْفَقْرَ أَخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ، وَلَكِنْ أَخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُبْسَطَ عَلَيْكُمُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا بُسِطَتْ عَلَى مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ، فَتَنَافَسُوهَا كَمَا تَنَافَسُوهَا وَتُهْلِكَكُمْ كَمَا أَهْلَكَتْهُمْ ”.
Narrated `Amr bin `Auf Al-Ansari: …..By Allahﷻ, I am not afraid of your poverty but I am afraid that you will lead a life of luxury as past nations did, whereupon you will compete with each other for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them.” Sahih al Bukhari: 3158
Finding Contentment
The virtue of contentment is coupled with a complete and irrefutable faith in Allahﷻ. This brings the certainty that everything is from Allahﷻ and none under Allahﷻ jurisdiction can benefit or harm him. When one shows contentment with what he has got, and does not foster envy or hatred towards others, he is certain that Allahﷻ will not let him down and there is a great reward awaiting him. Contentment is not easy to achieve, it is a continuous process of self-training with submission of oneself according to the teachings in Quran and Hadith.
وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتُهَا وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُون
And whatever things you have been given are only a provision of this world’s life and its adornment, and whatever is with Allah is better and more lasting; do you not then understand? Al Quran Al-Qasas: 60
Comparing with Others
One of the biggest evils is comparing yourself with people around, who are blessed with something more, this might be financial, emotional, social, or intellectual condition, this keeps us unhappy about our own lives, and leads to low self-esteem. Unfortunately, this comparison tends to sway us away from our own unique abilities and skills, and what Allahﷻ has blessed us with. We might have less in terms of finances but more in terms of health, and this goes on with all other aspects. Unfortunately, we always compare with we don’t have with different people who might have more than us in different aspects.
وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، – وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ – حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، وَوَكِيعٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” انْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَلاَ تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَكُمْ فَهُوَ أَجْدَرُ أَنْ لاَ تَزْدَرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ ” . قَالَ أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ ” عَلَيْكُمْ ”
Abu Huraira reported Allahﷻ’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Look at those who stand at a lower level than you but don’t look at those who stand at a higher level than you, for that is better-suited that you do not disparage Allahﷻ’s favors. Sahih Muslim: 2963c
The current era of technology has led to an easy access to information. The advertising is becoming more and more aggressive with behavioral studies and purchase habits. This led to attractive advertisements with newer products being drilled into minds of people as a way of life rather than a luxury. We all want to update latest versions of mobile phones, TV and all other things we use, not as a need but as a symbol of being better than others around us.
اَلۡمَالُ وَ الۡبَـنُوۡنَ زِيۡنَةُ الۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَا ۚ وَالۡبٰقِيٰتُ الصّٰلِحٰتُ خَيۡرٌ عِنۡدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَّخَيۡرٌ اَمَلًا ﴿﴾ وَيَوۡمَ نُسَيِّرُ الۡجِبَالَ و تَرَى الۡاَرۡضَ بَارِزَةً ۙ وَّحَشَرۡنٰهُمۡ فَلَمۡ نُغَادِرۡ مِنۡهُمۡ اَحَدًا
Wealth and children are an adornment of the life of the world. But the deeds of lasting righteousness are the best in the sight of your Lord in reward, and far better a source of hope. Bear in mind the Day when, We shall set the mountains in motion and you will find the earth void and bare. On that Day We shall muster all men together, leaving none of them behind. Al Quran Al-Kahf: 46
Our ambitions are boundless. We want to achieve more with time, and hence are in constant state of dissatisfaction with what we have. Ambitions drive the person to achieve things that are hard to access and hence they start putting all efforts in accomplishing it. To a certain extent we all are ambitious in life, but there should be a balance between all our life aspects. Islam teaches a harmony in life, a perfect balance between our spiritual and body matters, there is no extremism on either side.
The Need for Change
We enjoy anything that is new and unexplored. Be it a new travel destination, or a new gadget that you plan to buy for yourself. A good change in our lives does keep us happy and content for some time, but soon the unavoidable boredom creeps in, and once again we wish for some more changes and variety in life. This human nature to rejoice in change and diversity always keeps us dissatisfied with our day-to-day life and environment.
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَامًا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٌ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
Know that the life of the world is only play and amusement and pageantry which is a boasting and abundance of wealth and children amongst you. (The life of the world) is like the rain that causes the vegetation to grow, which pleases the farmer. After a while it withers away and you see it turning yellow. Then it becomes garbage. There is severe torment, forgiveness from Allah and Allah’s Pleasure in the Hereafter. And the life of this world is nothing but a deceiving enjoyment. Al Quran Al-Hadid: 20
It is impossible to develop contentment without gratitude—they are inseparable. And a grateful person is one who has learned to focus on the good things in their life, not the things they lack. The simple discipline of beginning the exercise will undoubtedly shift your focus back to the many good things you already have.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْمُقْرِئُ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي، أَيُّوبَ حَدَّثَنِي شُرَحْبِيلُ، – وَهُوَ ابْنُ شَرِيكٍ – عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحُبُلِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَرُزِقَ كَفَافًا وَقَنَّعَهُ اللَّهُ بِمَا آتَاهُ ”
’Amr b. al-‘As (رضي الله عنه) reported Allahﷻ’s Messengerﷺ as saying: He Is successful who has accepted Islam, who has been provided with sufficient for his want and been made contented by Allahﷻ with what He has given him. Sahih Muslim: 1054
An exemplary life of Prophet Mohammadﷺ
The lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was remarkably simple and unpretentious. He did not possess any luxuries.
Heﷺ used to eat simple food whatever he was served, never complained and never criticized. Sometimes his family has to eat dates for days.
حَدَّثَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ عِيسَى، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُضَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ مَا شَبِعَ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ طَعَامٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ حَتَّى قُبِضَ
Narrated Abu Huraira: The family of Muhammadﷺ did not eat their fill for three successive days till he died. Sahih al-Bukhari 5374
حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمٌ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا مَنْصُورٌ، عَنْ أُمِّهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ تُوُفِّيَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ شَبِعْنَا مِنَ الأَسْوَدَيْنِ التَّمْرِ وَالْمَاءِ
Narrated `Aisha: The Prophetﷺ died when we had satisfied our hunger with the two black things, i.e. dates and water. Sahih al-Bukhari 5383
Hisﷺ clothes were simple.
Hisﷺ used to sit on floor.
حَدَّثَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ أَبِي رَجَاءٍ، حَدَّثَنَا النَّضْرُ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ فِرَاشُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ أَدَمٍ، وَحَشْوُهُ مِنْ لِيفٍ
Narrated `Aisha: The bed mattress of the Prophetﷺ was made of a leather case stuffed with palm fibers. Sahih al-Bukhari: 6456
Heﷺ was very soft spoken and kind.
Heﷺ used to distribute everything he was gifted, amongst the needy.
عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ عَلَى حَصِيرٍ فَجَلَسْتُ فَأَدْنَى عَلَيْهِ إِزَارَهُ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ غَيْرُهُ وَإِذَا الْحَصِيرُ قَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِهِ فَنَظَرْتُ بِبَصَرِي فِي خِزَانَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِذَا أَنَا بِقَبْضَةٍ مِنْ شَعِيرٍ نَحْوِ الصَّاعِ وَمِثْلِهَا قَرَظًا فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْغُرْفَةِ وَإِذَا أَفِيقٌ مُعَلَّقٌ قَالَ فَابْتَدَرَتْ عَيْنَاىَ قَالَ مَا يُبْكِيكَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ قُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ وَمَا لِي لاَ أَبْكِي وَهَذَا الْحَصِيرُ قَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِكَ وَهَذِهِ خِزَانَتُكَ لاَ أَرَى فِيهَا إِلاَّ مَا أَرَى وَذَاكَ قَيْصَرُ وَكِسْرَى فِي الثِّمَارِ وَالأَنْهَارِ وَأَنْتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَصَفْوَتُهُ وَهَذِهِ خِزَانَتُكَ فَقَالَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ أَلاَ تَرْضَى أَنْ تَكُونَ لَنَا الآخِرَةُ وَلَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا قُلْتُ بَلَى
Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: I entered the room of the Messengerﷺ of Allahﷻ, peace and blessings be upon him, while he was lying on his side over a mat. I sat down as he drew up his lower garment and he was not wearing anything else. The mat had left marks on his side. I looked at the Prophet’sﷺ cupboard and I saw a handful of barely in a small amount, the same of mimosa leaves in the corner, and a leather bag hanging to the side. My eyes started to tear up, and the Prophetﷺ said, “What makes you weep, son of Khattab?” I said, “O Prophetﷺ of Allahﷻ, why should I not cry that this mat has left marks on your side and I see little in this cupboard? Caesar and Khosrau live among fruits and springs, while you are the Messengerﷺ of Allahﷻ and His chosen, yet this is your cupboard.” The Prophetﷺ said, “O son of Khattab, are you not pleased that they are for us in the Hereafter and for them in the world?” I said, “Of course.” Sahih Muslim: 1479a
حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَمُجَاهِدُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مَرْوَانُ بْنُ مُعَاوِيَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي شُمَيْلَةَ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مِحْصَنٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ “ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمْ مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ آمِنًا فِي سِرْبِهِ عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا ”
It was narrated from Salamah bin ‘Ubaidullah bin Mihsan Al-Ansari that his father said: “The Messenger ﷺof Allahﷻ said: ‘Whoever among you wakes up physically healthy, feeling safe and secure within himself, with food for the day, it is as if he acquired the whole world.’” Sunan Ibn Majah: 4141
Help others
When you begin helping others, sharing your talents, time and money, you will find yourself learning to be content. The practice will give you a finer appreciation for what you own, who you are, and what you have to offer.
حَدَّثَنَا شِهَابُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ قَيْسٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ لاَ حَسَدَ إِلاَّ فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ، رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَالاً فَسَلَّطَهُ عَلَى هَلَكَتِهِ فِي الْحَقِّ، وَآخَرُ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ حِكْمَةً فَهْوَ يَقْضِي بِهَا وَيُعَلِّمُهَا ”
Narrated `Abdullah: Allahﷻ’s Messengerﷺ said, “Do not wish to be like anyone, except in two cases: (1) A man whom Allahﷻ has given wealth and he spends it righteously. (2) A man whom Allahﷻ has given wisdom (knowledge of the Qur’an and the Hadith) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others.” Sahih Bukhari: 7141
Be content with what you have, never with what you are.
Never stop learning, growing, or discovering. Take pride in your personhood and the progress that you have made, but never become so content that you cannot find room for improvement. Contentment is not the same as complacency. As soon as you stop growing, you start dying.
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون. أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُون
They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allahﷻ, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance. Al Quran Al-Baqarah 2:156-7
A balance in life
Islam teaches a perfect balance in life, be it physical or spiritual. The foundation of social and economic system is developed with sole purpose of providing a peaceful environment for everyone. Islam places a great emphasis on our family lives. The rights of parents, brothers, sisters, wives, kids and everyone around us are taught over and over again. The eventual decision is ours, as to how we fulfil all these responsibilities, which on one hand will bring peace and harmony in the family, and on the other keep ourselves with the true understanding of humanity.
| Greed for more and more distracted you (from Allahﷻ) | أَلْهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ |
| Till you reached the grave | حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ |
| But you will soon come to know | كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ |
| Again, But you will soon come to know | ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ |
| Indeed, were you to know the truth with certainty | كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ ٱلْيَقِينِ |
| you would see the fire of Hell | لَتَرَوُنَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ |
| You would see it with the eye of certainty | ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ ٱلْيَقِينِ |
| Then on that Day you shall be questioned about your worldly favors | ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ |
حَدَّثَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ شَبِيبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ يُونُسَ،. وَقَالَ اللَّيْثُ حَدَّثَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ لَوْ كَانَ لِي مِثْلُ أُحُدٍ ذَهَبًا لَسَرَّنِي أَنْ لاَ تَمُرَّ عَلَىَّ ثَلاَثُ لَيَالٍ وَعِنْدِي مِنْهُ شَىْءٌ، إِلاَّ شَيْئًا أُرْصِدُهُ لِدَيْنٍ ”.
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allahﷻ Apostle said, “If I had gold equal to the mountain of Uhud, it would not please me that anything of it should remain with me after three nights (i.e., I would spend all of it in Allahﷻ’s Cause) except what I would keep for repaying debts.” Sahih al Bukhari 6445
Contentment is not easy to achieve. It can only be attained by a constant practice in light of understanding the true meaning of our life, which is explained in Quran and physically practiced by our prophet Mohammadﷺ. We have to cultivate the habit of being thankful for whatever we are blessed with, show gratitude towards our fellow beings, and develop the habit of seeing the positive side of things. The decision of being contented is YOUR DECISION, you can choose to be content or not with what you have. Therefore, regardless of your circumstances, and regardless of your personality, you can teach yourself to be content.
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوب
Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah, surely in the remembrance of Allah hearts can find comfort. Al Quran: Surah ar-Ra`d-28
Image by Okan Caliskan from Pixabay
