“CONTENTMENT

is an exhaustible treasure.”

O Allah, provide for my family with what suffices them and grant them contentment with it. [Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam]

The full flavour of true Iman is tasted by one who is content with Allah, Almighty and Glorious is He, as a Lord. [Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam]

All goodness resides in contentment, so if you are capable of being content, well and good. If not you must be patient. [Umar ibn al-Khattab RadiAllahu anhu]

Contentment is to satisfaction as the station of abstinence is to renunciation. Contentment is the beginning of satisfaction, while abstinence is the beginning of renunciation. [Abu Sulaman al-Darani]

Contentment is not to wish for what you lack and not to need what you have. [Abu AbdAllah bin Khafif]

The contented person is rich even if he goes hungry [Zabor]

It is said that Allah Ta’ala put five things in five places: honour in obedience, humiliation in disobedience, awe in standing in prayer at night, wisdom in an emty belly, and wealth in contentment.

Contentment is a king who dwells only in a believing heart [Bishr al-Hafi]

Contentment is one of the greatest gateways to Allah. it is the paradise of the world, a repose for the gnostics, a life for the lovers, a delight for the worshippers and a coolness of the eye for the yearners. [Ibn al-Qayyim]

A Sufi was asked: “Who is the most contented of men?” He answered, “The one who gives people the most help and who asks the least.”

Take revenge on your ambition with contentment as you take revenge on your enemy with retaliation. [Ibrahim al-Maristani]

When Prophet Musa Alaihis Salam spoke mentioning appetite: If you wished, you could get a reward for that, Khidr said to him: This is the parting between you and me. (18:77-78) And it is told that when the Prophet Musa Alaihis Salam had said that, a gazelle stopped in front of he and Khidr. They were both hungry. The side which faced Prophet Musa was not roasted, while the side that faced Khidr was roasted.

O ye people, isn’t it time for you to refrain from asking others for your needs. Surely whosoever abstains from asking, Allah will suffice him, and whosoever exhibits contentment, Allah will satiate his needs with little. I swear by Him Who holds in His Hand the destiny of Muhammad, that there is no wealth greater than exercising patience, and yet, if you insist on asking me, I will offer you whatever I find available to me.”

He who is contented is at rest from his contemporaries and towers over his fellows. [Dhul-Nun al-Misri]

Whoever sells ambition for contentment has triumphed in honour and moral goodness. [Al-Kattani]

Abu Yazid was asked, “Through what did you reach what you have reached?” he answered, “I gathered together all the ways and means of this world, bound them with the rope of contenment, set them in the catapult of truthfulness, and cast then into the sea of resignation, and I was at rest.”

Contentment does not mean that you are not affected by the experience of trial and tribulation. Contentment simply means that you do not object to the divine decision and decree. [Abu 'Ali ad-Daqqaq]

Rabi’a al-Adawiyya Rahmatullah alaiha was once asked the question: “When is the servant of the Lord content with the divine decree?” To this she replied: “When he is happy with affliction, just as he is happy with gracious favour.”

It is said that Musa Alaihis Salam once made a request to his Lord, Almighty and Glorious is He, so he said: “My Lord, point out to me a deed, such that, if I perform it, You will be well pleased with me.” The Lord said: “You are not capable of that,” so Musa Alaihis Salam sank to the ground, prostrating himself in humble submission. Allah Ta’ala then conveyed to him by way of inspiration: “O son of Imran, My good pleasure resides in your contentment with My decree.”

Observe your duty to Allah Ta’ala, Exalted is He, and be content to accept His decision, as He has told us:

But it may be that you hate a thing that is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows, and you know not. (2:216)

Someone saw a wise man eating discarded vegetables from a gutter. He said, “If you were to wait on the sultan, you would not need to eat this!” “And were you content with this, you would not need to wait on the sultan!” the wise man replied.

Contentment with the divine decree is Allah Ta’ala’s most splendid gateway, and it is this world’s Garden of Paradise. That is to say, when someone is blessed with the honour of contentment he has already received the most abundant welcome, and has been honoured with the most exalted nearness.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal Rahmatullah alaihi reported that Ummuhatul Mu’mineen, Aishah RadhiAllahu anha narrated that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Do you know who wins sanctuary under Allah Ta’ala’s ‘Arsh on the Day of Judgement?” People replied: “Allah and His Messenger know best!” He explained: “Those are the ones who graciously accept what is just when it is offered, they generously give when they are asked, and they judge between people by the same criterion they seek for themselves. They are cheerful outwardly but never anxious inwardly. The spirit of elation comes from their contentment, satisfaction, and constant yearning for their beloved, and their fear of losing their struggle, or even the mere thought of separation from Him, bewilders and distresses them.”

“CONTENTMENT

is an exhaustible treasure.”

said our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

May the Barakah of this Rabi’al Awwal Juma’ah see you contentedly delve into the inexhaustible treasure chest of CONTENTMENT, Insha’Allah

Ameen.

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

Photos from the archives, revealing various contented aspects inherent in this City of Radiance.

References: 1,2,3

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.