The Hayaa Oasis

There is little ambiguity in moments where we lack gratitude. Rather, it is the arrogance of ignorance in retaliation against humility. The lack of realisation that there is always something to be grateful for.

Weekly Writes written by Umm Idris. 20.09.24, 12:00pm.

” وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ “

‘And remember when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.’ [Surah Ibrahim 14:7]

We often forget that the source of our provision, unexpected blessings, and even the breath of life comes from He who grants us barakah and rizq. It is He who we call Ar – Rahman. It is He who we call Ar – Razzaq. One would have assumed that it is second nature to us to be consistent in our remembrance of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) when we encounter what is good and are tested by what is difficult.

As we crave to possess more in this dunya, it seems as though we have forgotten to acknowledge that which we already have, what more the blessings and duas we were previously granted. As one concentrates on making dua in sujood to ask Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for something one desires, did it ever occur to them that the present life they have happens to be a previous dua they made that He has granted them? Our present lives are His answers to the duas we made in our past. It can be an incredibly earth-shattering humbling realisation to the mind when you truly recognise that your current reality is a true gift from your Creator. He has always granted you His favours, even as you ask for more.

Strange isn’t it that many of us who continue to lament about our lives already have more than enough. Our homes, food, education, clothes, electricity, internet, plenty of savings, multiple children of our own, worldly opportunities, freedom of choice and even abundant chance at repentance are much more than we perceive. Yet, we complain! This writer must admit that even she has been regretfully guilty of such arrogant, ignorant, ungrateful moments in the past. It isn’t that we are not allowed to desire more or ask for more. In fact, we are encouraged to turn to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to make dua and ask for His guidance and blessings, seek His help, forgiveness and mercy. He is Ar – Razzaq, The Total Provider. Who else would we ask from?

It occurred to me that in our desperation to sustain the comforts in our lives, we often forget to be thankful for what we already have. I recently came across several instances in the community where women often look over the fences of others and heavily scrutinise what someone else has compared to their own rizq. Oftentimes, it is not their neighbors’ backyard itself that invites envy. Rather, it is the gluttony of desiring what others have and the insistence on competing with one’s trusted circle that truly disgusts me. For example, what good does it do for a person to be riddled with jealousy over the type of car their neighbour possesses? Or for them to be lit with fury as they compare daughters-in-law and their capabilities or perceived worth? Perhaps a typically relatable experience for most: the resentment that builds within a select type of mothers when they see others’ children succeed more than they believe their children have. Even turning green at the sight of the relationships of their own friends with their respective husbands.

I firmly believe that our current times are heavily influenced by the impact of consumerism and the addicting dopamine that pumps through our minds and bodies when we give in to materialism and the exorbitant lifestyle. In fact… dare I say, we have all become so accustomed to gluttony that we no longer perceive it as strange or alarming at all. There is little reservation in the face of abundance.

When was the last time you’ve looked around in your home and truly felt the full force of realisation sinking in at the sight of the immense wealth you possess? The refrigerator is full of a variety of fresh ingredients and weeks’ worth of poultry. The numerous toys that are strewn about in the living room. The luxurious customized sofa that is so cosy you can fall asleep on it as you watch television. Having too many a choice of entertainment at home. A whole shelf of books. A washing machine and dryer that does the job for you. A plumbing system that makes your shower and toilet needs not only easy but comfortable and luxurious. Wardrobe choices that could go on for days. Air-conditioning and radiators. Security system protecting your home and property to keep your mind at ease, always. Curtains and blinds that protect the hayaa and privacy of your family for you. Carpets and rugs that cushion your every footstep. More pillows and quilts that you need. Easy access to electricity, plenty of water and ease of cooking as well.

Don’t you feel just a little bit ungrateful that a second ago you were frustrated that something in your life was imperfect and didn’t exactly go your way?

We need to humble ourselves daily and say Alhamdulillah in the face of richness and poverty. We do not say this enough especially when we are dealing with struggles. Our instinct is to lament and complain, comparing our privilege to those who we think have more than we do. Why do we not look upon the poor instead? Would it not be a refreshing and humbling reminder for us to compare to those who have less than we do so that we keep away greed and dissatisfaction in our lives? Gratefulness does not only apply when blessings appear.

When we are tested with less, it is a blessing. It is a protection from being tested with riches and later put in the position where we must answer what good did, we did with our wealth while we were alive. When we see those around us receive goodness and wealth, it is our responsibility to rise above the temptation of falling into envy for the sake of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).

If you are not grateful for what you already have, you will constantly look over the fence and into your neighbours’ backyard. Your mind will fixate on gossip and digging into the affairs of others. What previously made you excited about your own life will no longer be beautiful in your eyes as your vision wanders and roams into the homes of others. It matters little that what you know is not the full extent or truth of what goes on behind closed doors. Instead, what you see will convince you that you deserve a more luxurious life than they do even when there is no competition. The only time you should look into your neighbour’s rice bowl is to make sure they have enough, not to see if you have as much as they do.

Gratefulness even extends beyond the premise of our relationship with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) Himself. When we choose to express our gratitude for our lives and all that He has granted us, we are choosing to act upon one of the basic foundations of Islam that begins with the heart. Much like how we expect from ourselves genuineness in our niyyah when we prostrate to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala), we cannot forget that our character and values must display the same toward His slaves. That is how we can avoid hypocrisy in our actions as well. The people who surround us deserve our humbled and kind appreciation of themselves just as we do theirs. It does no good to be heavily critical of what blessings you perceive they have. That is the beginning of a long road down from jealousy to backbiting, and the beginning manifestations of ungratefulness in your own life.

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ

‘We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life and crips. Give good news to those who patiently endure – who say, when struck by a disaster, “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will return.” ‘ [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155 – 2:156]

In hardships, there is a heavy importance of sabr as we endure the withholding of rizq. Regardless of the severity, it certainly applies all the same. Remain patient, and relief will eventually come. Always be grateful, and more will be granted. Avoid envy, remain pure in your niyyah and you will not have to worry about the Hellfire. Without question, it is only for our sake that our Prophet (salallahu ‘alaihi wassalam) warns us against this.

Abu Hurairah (radhi allahu ‘anhu) said that the Prophet (salallahu ‘alaihi wassalam) said, “Beware of envy because envy consumes (destroys) the virtues just as the fire consumes the firewood,” or he said “grass.” [Riyad as – Salihin 1569]

And so I ask you to consider this:

It was Anas ibn Malik (radhi allahu ‘anhu) who narrated that the Messenger of Allah (salallahu ‘alaihi wassalam) said, “Indeed greater reward comes with a greater trial. And indeed, when Allah loves a people He subjects them to trials, so whoever is content, then for him is pleasure, and whoever is discontent, then for him is wrath.” [Jami’ At – Tirmidhi 2396, Hasan]

Subhanallah!

There is honour in being deemed worthy by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to be tested and put through trials in this dunya simply because Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) Himself deems you worthy and able to undergo difficult tests and this even includes how we react to witnessing others enjoying blessings and sharing them with us. And so I leave you here with something to ponder over:

Have you shown Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) how grateful you are today?