There are
two types of people in this world: those who try to search out the million
dollars, so they can live on the high end of life; and those who try to find
the million dollar solution to life?s
hurdles.
The
former group plunges into the profit-driven corporate world like
a slave: Obeying the 9-5 hours? rule that the master
slaps on them and wearing the standard uniform, consisting of a cell phone,
laptop, blue shirt and tie, and a compatible suit. This group digs deep into
the earth?s resources hoping
that one day it will indeed strike that ?million dollar life-style?.
When this
group is given some blessings from God, they jump on it like a thirsty dog laps
up water, not realizing how they approach and use the bounty is also a test.
And when this group is tested with an affliction, they lower their heads in
dismay, wallowing in self pity, not recognizing that they are blessed with much
more than several millions who are starving every day, and at times homeless
due to a war or natural disaster. This group lacks foresight and remains in
this despicable state until God, out of His immense mercy, changes their
worldly affairs for them again.
~~~~~~~~~
The
latter of the two groups tries a different way to attain a similar goal.
While they too work those 9-5 jobs, and they too may carry the same stylish,
state of the art gadgets that every other corporate ?slave?
carries, such as the cell phones, PDAs,
and slick laptops, they run a different course.
They are
after contentment - the state of mind, body, and soul that has far reaching
effects on an individual?s
personality, lifestyle, and psychology. These individuals are not as caught up
in the rat race of life; they rather struggle to attain a peace of mind. When
they are given wealth by Allah they turn to Him in gratitude thanking Him and
asking Him to continue His immense mercy on them, realizing that they can never
even come close to showing enough gratitude for all that He has provided. And
when this group is tried with a test, they turn to their Creator alone,
realizing that this life and death have been created as a test for them. They
can attain a state of gratitude again, as they recognize that they have far too
little time to thank God for the remainder of things He has provided them with.
Which
group do you think gets the most out of life? Which group do you think
experiences most happiness?
Therapists
and psychologists of today remain in a state of awe as they search for the true
source of contentment. Muslims have been blessed with the answer to this life?s mystery:
He (Allah)
guides to Himself all who turn to Him - those who believe and whose hearts find
satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah - for without doubt in the remembrance
of Allah human hearts find satisfaction. (13:28)
6 ways to capitalize on the best wealth in
life: Contentment!
1)
Gaze at those below you! The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
instructed his companions to look at the people below them in status and
wealth, and not at those above. Many of us live in societies where people seem
to be just as well off as us; it is important that we make ourselves aware of
the stark realities of poverty in our own back yards, and more importantly, all
over the world. These facts and stories should humble us and make us less
self-absorbed.
2) Understand the realities of this life. Allah (SWT) says ?[He] Who created death and life that He might test you
as to which of you is best in deed. And He is also Mighty and Forgiving.? [67:2] A believer
understands that this life is short in length compared to the 50,000 years that
the Day of Judgment will be, and it is only a testing field to distinguish
those who have faith from those who do not. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) also once said ?This world
is a prison for the believer and paradise for the unbeliever.? Moreover,
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reminded his companions, ?The believing slave (who dies) is relieved of
the fatigue and pain of this world and has gone to the mercy of Allah.?
3) Fifteen Minutes of pleasure aren?t worth it! Often we don?t realize it, but majority of the worldly objects we
chase after only bring us few minutes of pleasure. Once those fifteen minutes
of enjoyment are over, we move on, and strive to attain something better. As
smart and reasonable individuals we need to re-assess whether the fifteens
minutes of pleasure are worth all the time spent in attaining them, or is the
everlasting next life more important?
4) Thank you cards to Allah (SWT): we express our thanks to
people all the time, for the small kindness they show. Why not thank Allah
while we?re at it? In a
state of personal contemplation, try thinking about each thing that God has
graciously bestowed us with and that someone else is deprived of. Ponder upon
how much mercy God has had on us by giving us the sight, hearing, and speaking
faculties alone! When we fully understand God?s mercy in allowing us to breathe another breath, we
would become grateful in times of wealth and poverty, alike.
A man
will come on the Day or Judgment who had devoted his whole life to the
remembrance of God and God would ask him if he thought he deserved to enter
5) In your pocket, not your heart: Abdur-Rahman
ibn Awf and Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be
pleased with them both) were blessed with many riches, but what distinguished them
was their generosity and detachment from their own wealth. The wealth was in
their pockets and not in their heart. Let?s
understand what drove them ? as they had what we spend
our whole lives to attain, yet they used it in very different ways.
6) Read & Understand the Quran: The words sent down
directly from God surely must have practical answers to our life?s predicaments. A great publication to read on this
subject: Quran: Your Gateway To A New World.
May Allah (SWT) make us of
those who are content with what ever worldly state He places us in; may He
grant us success in this life and the next; and may He give us steadfastness in
our faith, and make us of those who guide, and are rightly guided. Aameen.