Good Deed: #166 Be content

4:32 (Y. Ali) And in no wise covet those things in which Allah Hath bestowed His gifts More freely on some of you than on others: To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: But ask Allah of His bounty. For Allah hath full knowledge of all things.

9:59 (Y. Ali) If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger gave them, and had said, “Sufficient unto us is Allah. Allah and His Messenger will soon give us of His bounty: to Allah do we turn our hopes!” (that would have been the right course).

18:28 (Y. Ali) And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.

22:11 (Y. Ali) There are among men some who serve Allah, as it were, on the verge: if good befalls them, they are, therewith, well content; but if a trial comes to them, they turn on their faces: they lose both this world and the Hereafter: that is loss for all to see!

70:5 (Y. Ali) Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment).

Prophet(SAW) said Richness does not mean having a great amount of property, but richness is self-contentment. [Bukhari]

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The successful one is he who becomes Muslim, has adequate provision and whom Allah makes satisfied with what He gives him.” [Muslim]

Depression vs contentment by Moulana Suleman Moolla

Action plan

The following are some principles that, if remembered, will help us develop this type of contentment in our own lives.

We should look at the people who have less than us, not those who have more.

When purchasing something, we should consider what we need, not how glamorous or prestigious it is

We should feel empathy for the poor and know that they have rights on our excess money.

We should look at what we already have and be thankful to Allah (SWT).

Many people possess the material goods of the world and are not happy. In fact, they are often the most miserable people. With everything they have, they still feel they want more. This unfilled desire, along with the constant nagging in their heart for more, makes them unhappy. Those who have little but feel no need for more do not experience this nagging in their heart. They can relax and find peace. Indeed, the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who is content with what he has. Source: Practical Suggestions in Developing Contentment

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