Surah al-Hajj Ayah 36, “And feed the poor man who is
contented, and the beggar.”
“Be contented so that you may be the most thankful of all
people.” (Ja’mme al Sad’aat volume 2 page 102)
Muslims should struggle to have a lawful source of
sustenance. Once they get it, they should earn like Rizq-e-Halal. They should perform
their duties to earn every cent. After working hard, they should leave it to
Allah and pray for its continuity. This is contentment in sustenance.
Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Contentment is when a
person is content with what he loves and what he hates; it is a ray of light of
gnosis. He who is content is annihilated to all his choices; he is really the
one with whom Allah is content.
Contentment is the neuro-physiological experience of
satisfaction and being at ease in one’s situation. Contentment is not the
fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.
It is one of the most important prerequisites of happiness in our life.
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Remember death frequently.
This will save you from longing for the worldly pleasures. Show gratitude
frequently to Allah which will increase the graces upon you. Richest among you
is the one who is contented.”
The Commander of the Faithful Imam Aki (a.s.) said, “Contentment
is the capital which will never diminish.”
Aswad and Alqamah narrates that they visited Imam Ali (a.s.)’s
house and found that there was a tray in front of him in which there was some
date fibers, and upon which lay two loaves of barley bread, the chaff of barley
was clearly visible. The Imam picked up the loaves and struck them on his knees
and ate them with some salt. They told Fizza, “Why did you not remove the chaff
from the flour? She replied, “Had Ali eaten the delicious bread, its sin would
have befallen on my shoulders.” Imam Ali, said, “I my self had instructed
her not to remove the chaff. In this way my soul will be subjugated, it becomes
contented, and the Muslims shall continue to follow me till I depart from this
world.”
Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “If a son of Adam
possessed two valleys of gold and silver, yet he will search for the third.”
Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “The world is like water
of sea, a thirsty man, the more he drinks the thirstier he becomes, until the
water kills him in the end.
To cure this habit, one should look at those who have less
resources than us and thank Almighty Allah for what we have. Do not spoil what you possess by desiring what
you do not have.
The contentment of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is a perfect guide
for us. Once, the Noble Messe3nger (s.a.w.a.s.) visited his daughter Fatima
Zahra (s.a.) and saw that she was wearing a dress made of camel hair. Tears
welled in his eyes and he said, “Fatima, today endure the hardships and poverty
with patience so that you may acquire the comfort of Paradise.
Patience and contentment are closely connected. In the case
of Prophet Ayyub. He was rich having numerous cattle heads, fertile land, many children,
good health. Then Allah wanted to test him, and he slowly lost everything, he
became very sick. He continued to be thankful to Allah and was contented. His
wife also left him. Then he prayed to Allah for help and Allah returned everything
to him.
Sources: The Glorious Qur’an, anecdotes for reflection by
Sayyid Ali Akbar Saadat
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