Contentment is defined as: "Being
satisfied with what God has allotted, even if it is little, and not coveting
what others possess. It is a sign of true faith."
When a person is grateful, meaning content
and satisfied, they realize that everything that happens to them is a blessing
or an opportunity for learning. Contentment and satisfaction not only demonstrate
good character towards others but also make a person happy and positive about
what they have, no matter how small. Gratitude makes one thankful for both the
good and bad aspects of life. Not getting a job or not being accepted into a
particular college may be a sign that God has something better in store.
God Almighty encouraged contentment in His
saying, “Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she)
is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism), verily, to him We will give a good
life (in this world with respect, contentment, and lawful provision), and We
shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used
to do (i.e., Paradise in the Hereafter).” (Surat An-Nahl: 97). Muhammad ibn
Ka’b interpreted God’s saying, “While he is a believer—we will surely cause him
to live a good life,” as meaning contentment. Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God be
pleased with him, also interpreted it as meaning contentment. It was narrated
from Al-Hasan Al-Basri that he said, “The good life is contentment.” And marry
those among you who are single (i.e., a man who has no wife and a woman who has
no husband) and (also marry) the Salihun (pious, fit, and capable ones) of your
(male) slaves and maidservants (female slaves). If they are poor, Allah will
enrich them out of His bounty. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures'
needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people).” (Surat An-Nur 24:32) This
refers to contentment.
Contentment and satisfaction are manifested
in the Prophetic tradition through two perspectives. The first perspective is
that this world is a transient abode, not a permanent one, and that it is a
station on our journey to the Hereafter. It is a station where the Messenger of
God (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed to us what our Lord desires for
us, for the betterment of our lives in this world and the next. This is evident
in his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): “What is sufficient for one of
you in this world is like the provisions of a traveler” (Narrated by Ibn Majah;
Source: Sahih al-Jami’); and in the Prophet’s saying (peace and blessings be
upon him): “Whoever among you wakes up secure in his dwelling, healthy in his
body, and with enough food for the day, it is as if he has been given a gift.”
The world belongs to him” (Narrated by: Ubaydullah ibn Muhsin; Source: Sahih
al-Tirmidhi). The second understanding is that a person in this world will only
receive what God has allotted and decreed for him; the pen has dried concerning
what is to come, and no soul will die before receiving what has been written
for it in full, without any deficiency. This is clarified by the Prophet’s
saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “O people, fear God and be moderate in
seeking sustenance, for no soul will die until it has received its full
provision, even if it is delayed. So fear God and be moderate in seeking
sustenance; take what is lawful and leave what is unlawful” (Narrated by: Jabir
ibn Abdullah; Source: Sahih Ibn Majah). His saying, “be moderate,” means: be
good in seeking sustenance.
Among the interesting and telling stories
about greed and the lack of contentment is the following: “It is said that
three men were traveling on a road when they came across a treasure. They
agreed to divide it equally among themselves, but before they could do so, they
felt…” They were extremely hungry, so they sent one of their companions to the
city to bring them food. They agreed to keep it secret so that no one else
would covet it. While the man was away, he conceived the idea of getting rid
of his companions and keeping the treasure for himself. So he bought poison and
put it in the food. At the same time, his companions agreed to kill him upon
his return so that they could divide the treasure between themselves. When the
man returned with the poisoned food, his companions killed him, then sat down
to eat the food and died from the effects of the poison. Thus is the end of the
greedy and the consequence of greed.
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