Are you being ungrateful or you are pleased with Allah’s Decree?

This is a reminder for you and for me.

Anyone can choose to be ungrateful. Some of us look at others and we wish we had their looks, their height, their wealth, the number of children they have or don’t have, their education, their talents, their…, their… and this can cause negativity and ungratefulness for the “blessings” we have supposedly missed out on.

We can become so ungrateful that we spend our lives by  missing out and failing to enjoy the blessings we have been granted with.

You must have come across people who are just not happy with their lot, no matter what.

Young girls who are miserable because there is a delay in them finding a suitable ” suitor”, agonizing when they hear about their friends getting married.

Harassed mums who enviously look at childless women and wish for a tidier house, time to themselves, uninterrupted nights , exotic holidays…

We wish, we aim, we get, we loose and the cycle continues through all our life without us having any feelings  of contentment or happiness.

The financially challenged wishing for affluence.

The wealthy wishing for less stressful lives and more time.

The list is endless.

The cycle of ingratitude continues throughout some people’s lives.

There is Divine Wisdom and a great reward for those who are happy with Allah’s Decree.

‘A’isha reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There is nothing (in the form of trouble) that comes to a believer even if it is the pricking of a thorn that there is decreed for him by Allah good or his sins are obliterated. Sahih Muslim  (Book #032, Hadith #6241)

Allah (swt) Says in the Holy Qur’an:

“…Allâh is pleased with them and they  (pleased)with Him. That is the great success (Paradise). (Al-Ma’idah 5:119)

But how can we achieve this ?

“Do not look to those above you. Look to those below you, as it will more likely remind you of Allah’s favors bestowed on you.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Here I would like to mention the serious matter of being displeased not only with the Decree of Allah (swt) but also with any aspect of  the Islamic faith.

There is a clear warning in the following ayaat:

Allah says:

But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad SAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission. (An-Nisa 4:65)

No Faith= Disbeliever

Lets all  work hard towards being of those who are pleased with what Allah (swt) has decreed for us.

Imagine how happy and at peace you will be when your last best friend rings you to let you know she is getting married or the most expensive sports car is parked at your neighbour’s drive and you are truly and from the bottom of your heart happy for them.

May Allah (swt) Forgive us for our shortcomings and may we  be of the grateful ones.