Privilege
Sometimes, the privileges we envy in others are, in fact, burdens we would not want to carry.
Truth be told, privileges are often seen as norms and therefore underappreciated until we are faced with the jarring reality that brings us into the light of how "not so common" what we enjoy is. Constant self-reflection is a key component of humility and true peace of mind, for it opens the heart to gratitude, the greatest purifier of the soul. Privileges, in their nature, are silent gifts bestowed upon us—unearned, yet so often taken for granted as if we are entitled to them. The steady rhythm of life, uninterrupted by major trials, lulls us into a dangerous forgetfulness, a slumber in which we fail to appreciate the extraordinary blessings that have been woven into the fabric of our daily existence.
We live in a world that whispers in our ears that we deserve everything we have. It teaches us to look around and assume that the comforts, opportunities, and freedoms we possess are the inevitable outcome of our efforts or inherent worth. But reality has a way of jolting us awake, reminding us that these privileges are neither guaranteed nor eternal. A moment of loss, a sudden illness, or witnessing the suffering of others can quickly make us realize how much we have been quietly given. In that moment of clarity, the scales fall from our eyes, and we see the hidden blessings that have sheltered us from the storms of life.
Think about the air we breathe. It fills our lungs without effort, so constant, so reliable that we rarely stop to acknowledge it. Yet the moment we struggle to breathe, when an illness or condition impairs this automatic process, we are struck by the gravity of what it means to inhale and exhale without pain. This is privilege in its rawest form—an unnoticed gift, fragile and fleeting, reminding us that nothing in this world is truly ours but is instead lent to us by the grace of Allah.
The greatest mistake one can make is to view privilege as a right. This mindset leads to arrogance, a heart hardened to the suffering of others, and a soul that loses sight of its dependence on Allah. The Qur'an warns us of the consequences of ingratitude and arrogance, recounting the stories of past nations who were destroyed because they believed their wealth, power, and status were of their own doing, immune to the will of their Creator. Allah says:
يَكَادُ ٱلْبَرْقُ يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَـٰرَهُمْ ۖ كُلَّمَآ أَضَآءَ لَهُم مَّشَوْا۟ فِيهِ وَإِذَآ أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُوا۟ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ
"It is as if the lightning were about to snatch away their sight. Whenever lightning strikes, they walk in its light, but when darkness covers them, they stand still. Had Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and sight. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:20)
This verse is a sobering reminder that every privilege—whether it is the ability to see, hear, walk, or speak—is entirely in the control of Allah. He gives and He withholds, not out of injustice, but out of wisdom far beyond our comprehension. What we often take for granted as *normal* could easily be taken away, and in that realization lies a profound lesson in humility.
When we reflect on our privileges, we begin to understand that they are not meant to inflate our egos, but to humble us. The wealth we possess, the family we cherish, the education we receive, the health we enjoy—all these are tests from Allah. Privileges are not just blessings to enjoy; they are responsibilities entrusted to us. What we do with them will determine our success or failure in the grand scheme of things. As Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us:
"لا تزول قدما عبد يوم القيامة حتى يسأل عن عمره فيما أفناه ، وعن علمه فيما فعل فيه، وعن ماله من أين اكتسبه، وفيما أنفقه، وعن جسمه فيم أبلاه" (رواه الترمذي وقاال: حديث حسن صحيح).
"The feet of the son of Adam will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it, his youth and how he used it, his wealth and how he earned and spent it, and his knowledge and how he acted upon it."
(Tirmidhi who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih.)
Privileges are not merely for personal indulgence; they come with an obligation. The privilege of time must be spent wisely, the privilege of youth must be used for good, the privilege of wealth must be shared, and the privilege of knowledge must be applied in service to others. Each of these gifts will be questioned on the Day of Judgment, and it is only those who have used them for righteous purposes who will pass that test.
Moreover, privileges should not be viewed in isolation from the plight of others. To live in privilege while remaining indifferent to the struggles of others is a form of spiritual blindness. The Qur'an repeatedly calls us to care for the poor, the orphan, and the oppressed, reminding us that the privileges we enjoy should drive us toward compassion and charity, not selfishness and greed. The Prophet ﷺ said:
لَيْسَ الْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي يَشْبَعُ وَجَارُهُ جَائِعٌ.
"He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry."
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
This statement carries within it a heavy lesson: our privileges are intertwined with the needs of those around us. True gratitude is not just saying Alhamdulillah with our tongues; it is using our blessings to alleviate the burdens of others. When we recognize our privileges, it should ignite a fire of generosity and empathy within us, for we have been given more than enough to share.
In fact, it is in sharing our privileges that we truly begin to appreciate them. There is a sweetness in giving, a deep fulfillment that arises when we use our blessings to uplift others. Whether it’s giving from our wealth, offering a kind word, or simply being present for someone in need, these acts of generosity transform our privileges from mere conveniences into tools of service, through which we draw closer to Allah. The Qur'an beautifully articulates this concept:
وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
"And whoever volunteers good—then indeed, Allah is appreciative and knowing."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:158)
When we give freely from what we have been blessed with, we are essentially planting seeds of gratitude that bloom into gardens of barakah (blessings). The more we give, the more Allah increases us, not necessarily in material wealth, but in contentment, peace, and closeness to Him.
But there is another profound truth about privilege—one that is often overlooked. Sometimes, the privileges we envy in others are, in fact, burdens we would not want to carry. Wealth, for instance, comes with its own tests and challenges. Power and influence often bring with them immense responsibility and scrutiny. Even health, which we all value, can be a test if it leads us to forget our reliance on Allah.
Thus, part of wisdom is recognizing that not all that glitters is gold. The very privileges we long for in others’ lives may not lead to happiness or peace, and the absence of certain privileges in our own lives may be Allah’s mercy, protecting us from tests we are not prepared to handle. This is why contentment with Allah’s decree—Rida bil Qada'—is the greatest privilege of all. It is the privilege of knowing that Allah’s plan for us is perfect, that whatever we have or lack is precisely what we need for our journey toward Him.
In the end, the question is not how many privileges we possess, but how well we appreciate and use them. Do we recognize them as gifts from Allah, or do we take them for granted? Do we hoard them for ourselves, or do we share them with others? Do they make us arrogant, or do they humble us before our Creator?
The wise ones understand that every privilege is an opportunity—an opportunity to grow, to serve, and to draw nearer to Allah. And those who walk this path of gratitude, reflection, and generosity will find that their lives are filled not only with blessings, but with meaning, purpose, and an enduring sense of peace.