I Am Ungrateful
It was the story of Shaykh Murtadho Abdussalam, known as Baba n Mahd, a respected Shaykh who was said to have lost almost 24 children in his lifetime.
Yesterday, I was sad and down, and I found myself ranting to one of my friends. After pouring out all my frustrations and worries, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. But then, a story I had heard before came back to me—one that put my own struggles into perspective. It was the story of Shaykh Murtadho Abdussalam, known as Baba n Mahd, a respected Shaykh who was said to have lost almost 24 children in his lifetime.
Contentment, or rida', is one of the most profound spiritual virtues a believer can attain. It represents a state of inner peace and satisfaction with what Allah decrees, regardless of the circumstances. To be content is to trust completely in Allah's wisdom, knowing that His plan is perfect even when we do not understand it. This inner state is a powerful foundation for facing life’s trials, which are inevitable in the journey of faith.
What is Contentment?
This is the heart's acceptance and satisfaction with what Allah has decreed. It is a spiritual state that transcends worldly possessions, status, or outcomes. A person who is content does not measure their happiness by material success or the fulfillment of their desires. Instead, they find peace in their heart, knowing that Allah has provided them with exactly what they need for their spiritual and worldly journey.
It is not the passive acceptance of hardship or mediocrity, but rather an active state of reliance upon Allah. It means recognizing that whatever situation we are in—whether prosperity or adversity—has been crafted by Allah for our benefit, either in this world or the Hereafter.
The Quran and Hadith are replete with teachings about how Allah tests His servants through various means. These tests are designed to purify, strengthen, and elevate the believer. As Allah states in the Quran:
أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
“Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe,’ and they will not be tested?”* (Suratul-Ankabut, 29:2).
Allah tests us in different ways: through hardship, prosperity, health, wealth, relationships, and even our faith. Each test is uniquely designed to challenge the believer's patience, trust, and reliance upon Allah. Through these trials, Allah distinguishes the true believers from those who are weak in faith, and He purifies those who submit to Him from the spiritual diseases of pride, greed, and impatience.
Types of Tests
Tests of Hardship
Allah tests His servants through trials of loss, sickness, fear, and poverty. These tests reveal the depth of our reliance upon Him and teach us the virtue of patience. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” (2:155).
When facing hardship, the believer is reminded to say,
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ
“To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return” (2:156), acknowledging that all things, both good and difficult, come from Allah.
The story of Prophet Ayyub is a profound example. He was tested with severe illness, loss of wealth, and the death of his children, yet he remained steadfast and patient. His contentment with Allah's decree was unwavering, and eventually, Allah restored his health and blessed him with more than he had lost.
Tests of Prosperity
Allah also tests His servants with ease and abundance. Often, we view trials as only coming in the form of hardship, but wealth, health, and success are tests as well. Allah says:
وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌۭ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌۭ
“And know that your wealth and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:28).
In times of ease, the test lies in whether we remain grateful, humble, and charitable. Many people forget Allah when they are blessed with ease and turn to Him only in times of difficulty. The truly content believer, however, maintains gratitude and obedience to Allah whether in ease or hardship. Prophet Sulaymaan, despite his vast kingdom and power, was constantly in remembrance of Allah and used his blessings to benefit others.
3. Tests of Faith
Faith itself is often tested. Allah may place us in situations where our beliefs are questioned, or where it becomes difficult to practice our faith. These tests are designed to strengthen our reliance on Allah and to separate sincere believers from those who waver. The companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) endured severe persecution for their faith, yet they remained firm, understanding that trials in this world are temporary, while the reward of Allah is eternal.
The Relationship Between Contentment and Tests
Contentment is not about being happy with the test itself, but about being at peace with Allah's wisdom behind the test. It is a recognition that whatever happens is from Allah, and therefore, it is for our ultimate good. When a believer internalizes this, they can face trials with patience and gratitude, knowing that Allah’s plan is better than their own desires.
This contentment stems from a deep understanding of tawakkul (reliance upon Allah). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of trusting Allah, saying:
لَوْ أَنَّكُمْ تَوَكَّلْتُمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَقَّ تَوَكُّلِهِ لَرَزَقَكُمْ كَمَا يَرْزُقُ الطَّيْرَ تَغْدُو خِمَاصًا وَتَرُوحُ بِطَانًا
"If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi).
A content heart knows that Allah provides what is best, whether it be ease or trial, and thus surrenders to His will with grace.
Patience and Gratitude in Times of Trial
Patience (sabr) and gratitude (shukr) are two key qualities that work hand-in-hand with contentment. In times of hardship, patience is necessary, as it allows the believer to endure without complaint. In times of ease, gratitude ensures that blessings are acknowledged and used in a manner pleasing to Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
عَجَبًا لأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لأَحَدٍ إِلاَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ
Wondrous is the affair of the believer, for there is good for him in every matter. If he is granted ease, he is grateful, and that is good for him. If he is afflicted with hardship, he perseveres, and that is good for him.” (Sahih Muslim).
This hadith encapsulates the essence of contentment: whether in prosperity or adversity, the believer finds peace through submission to Allah’s will.
Every trial, whether it brings joy or hardship, serves a divine purpose. Allah tests us to purify our hearts, strengthen our reliance on Him, and prepare us for the ultimate test—the Hereafter. Tests in this life are temporary, but they refine our character, increase our faith, and teach us humility.
Allah says:
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ
“He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed—and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving” (Surah Al-Mulk, 67:2).
Tests are not punishments, but opportunities for growth, purification, and attaining closeness to Allah. A content heart understands that every test, no matter how difficult, is a sign of Allah’s mercy, as it draws the believer nearer to Him.
In conclusion, contentment is a powerful spiritual tool that enables the believer to navigate the trials of life with peace, patience, and trust in Allah. The tests that Allah places in our path, whether through hardship or ease, are opportunities for us to grow spiritually and attain higher ranks in the sight of Allah. Embracing contentment will allow us as believers to align our heart with the divine will, knowing that Allah's plan is always for their benefit.
True contentment is a state of the heart, rooted in faith and fortified by patience, gratitude, and unshakable trust in Allah. It transforms how we perceive the world and its challenges, allowing us to live with tranquility, regardless of the circumstances. As Allah says in the Quran: “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (Suratu-r-Ra'd, 13:28).
Masha Allah