Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (DB)
There is a well-known story of a very wealthy father who took his son on a trip to the countryside for the sole purpose of showing his son how it is to be poor, and how fortunate they were to be rich, living in luxury in an upmarket suburb. They spent a few days on a farm which belonged to a poor family who lived in a very humble home.
After their return, the father asked his son what he had learnt from his stay in the country, living with the poor. The son replied: “I saw that we have all kinds of security and they live free. We have a pool in a landscaped garden which constantly requires maintenance; they have a natural creek and enjoy nature at its best. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard while they have the whole horizon. Our property is so limited and enclosed and they have fields that go beyond their sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food while they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them. This trip showed me just how poor we really are.”
From this story, we see that people look at conditions with a different eye and perspective. When we are tarnished by the material world, we see everything in Rands, Dollars and Pounds. We cannot take note that true comfort lies beyond a grand bank balance and material luxuries. The simple and far more important things in life – which offer so much of peace and joy - are often overlooked and go unnoticed when pursuing the glitter and glamour of the world.
Relating this to our own condition, we find that many among us are affluent and living very comfortably, Alhamdulillah. We have plush and spacious homes, landscaped gardens, sparkling pools, high-priced cars and many other luxuries. On the other side, we have those who are poor. They live in constrained conditions; in small homes that just about accommodate their families and belongings. They have to also contend with various challenges and difficulties due to their low income and poor living conditions. They labour hard to provide food and cover basic expenses. There is a deep chasm between the privileged and the underprivileged.
We are not painting everyone with the same brush. There are always exceptions. However, on a general note, if we have to weigh in taking the above into consideration:
1. Who requires a break, a holiday or some time away from their everyday lives – the wealthy or the poor?
The poor need a holiday more than the rich. However, the rich have the means and thus holiday despite living in luxurious conditions and having all amenities for their comfort. Their homes are often better than even the resorts they stay at during their holidays.
2. Who complains that they are not getting enough holidays – the wealthy or the poor?
The wealthy complain although they are the ones getting the opportunity of holidaying. This is because their sight is on more frequent getaways or holidays, or the desire to visit more exotic destinations or more expensive places. There is no satisfaction.
3. Who complains about the holiday on return home– the wealthy or the poor? ...Complaints such as, ‘We are so tired.’, ‘The resort was too busy.’, ‘The facilities were substandard.’, ‘The food was not satisfactory.’, etc. etc.
The wealthy who get to go on vacation are the ones who complain. Despite enjoying so many comforts even on vacation, many are just not content. Those who are poor and cannot go anywhere just make the most of the simple pleasures of life, without complaint.
From another view of the two classes and our attitude:
Usually, in an affluent society, many go to work in their own vehicles and often, in their own time – especially if they own their businesses. On the other hand, whatever the weather conditions, the poor have to walk long distances, wait in queues for public transport – a bus or taxi, then be at work at a certain time, leave at a certain time, etc. Despite the obvious difference, many a time we find the poor are happy and they have smiling faces while those of us who have every ease will not be smiling when going to work. Even after returning home, having made a lot of money – when you would expect that we will be all smiles, we are morose.
If we have to visit an informal settlement or squatter camp, any time of the day or night, we will find people meeting and mixing, living carefree lives. There will be talk and laughter filling the air though their conditions are of want and poverty. We will find them sharing and giving from the little they have. Sometimes their hearts are bigger in generosity than even those of us who have much.
The very poor live in shacks and tin homes with no proper doors or locks and we live in the prisons which we have made with fortified walls, barbed wire, electric fencing, security systems, etc. Despite all of this, we still get burgled.
We consider happiness the result of money and affluence, yet these comparisons disclose a different picture. Happiness is not a result of wealth. Money doesn’t buy happiness. May Allah Ta’ala grant us this understanding.
The concern and the advice that are being presented is that our holidays and our attitude to life are very contradictory. We complain at every turn – whether it is traveling locally or abroad, whether it is working and earning far more than the average person, whether it is our clothing, shoes, appliances, transport, etc., whether load-shedding, water-shedding, etc. – not taking note that we have plenty and still have access to other means. We have boreholes, gas, solar, etc. …What we lack is appreciation and gratitude. We also forget that the finer and more valuable bounties in life don’t come with hefty price-tags.
Although this advice is addressing these specific issues, to a greater extent, we show very little appreciation and thankfulness for our Dieni bounties – our Imaan, Islam, Qur’aan Sharief, Zikrullah, etc.; yet our spiritual bounties are our true wealth. …There was a very poor man who lived in Kabul, Afghanistan. He would often announce that he was the wealthiest man. However, there was no sign of wealth; only poverty was witnessed. On being asked what made him the wealthiest, he replied: “My Imaan. I have the wealth of Imaan.”
When shaytaan promised to mislead mankind, he also said:
“…You will find most of them ungrateful.”
Allah Ta’ala mentions
“And few of My servants are grateful.”
[Surah Saba 34 : 13]
Once, when Hadhrat Umar bin al-Khattab (Radhiyallahu anhu) was walking in the market, he passed by a man who was making dua: “O Allah, make us of Your few servants! O Allah make us of Your few servants!”
Hadhrat ‘Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) asked him: “From where did you get this dua?”
The man said: “Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’aan Sharief, ‘And few of My servants are grateful.”
This made Hadhrat ‘Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) weep and he admonished himself: “The people are more knowledgeable than you, O Umar! O Allah, make us of Your few servants.”
Allah Ta’ala give us hidayah to have a good mindset and to see things in the right light and correct perspective and to live life with an attitude of gratitude.
