Prayers for Contentment and Satisfaction
When a Muslim turns to their Lord—exalted and honored—they engage in supplication that aligns with their acceptance of God’s decree and destiny. God has commanded us to pray, as mentioned in His glorious Book: (وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا). Below are some of the prayers from the prophetic traditions that emphasize the importance of satisfaction and contentment:
- Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would say: (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the withdrawal of Your blessings, from the change of Your well-being, from the suddenness of Your wrath, and from all forms of displeasure).
- It was narrated by Umm al-Mu’mineen Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) encountered something he found pleasing, he would say: “Praise be to Allah, whose blessings complete good deeds.” Conversely, if he faced something displeasing, he would say: “Praise be to Allah in all circumstances.”
- In a hadith from Ibn Mas’ud, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say: (O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and wealth. In another narration, he added: and purity).
- Zaid ibn al-Arqam narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say: (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from incapacity, laziness, cowardice, stinginess, old age, and the torment of the grave. O Allah, grant my soul its piety and purify it, for You are the best of those who purify it; You are its Protector and Guardian. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not humble itself, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered).
- Umar ibn al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say: (O Allah, increase us and do not decrease us, honor us and do not humiliate us, bestow upon us and do not deprive us, prefer us and do not prefer others over us, and make us content and be pleased with us).
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) would pray: (O Allah, I ask You for a tranquil heart that believes in meeting You, accepts Your decree, and is content with Your provision).
- Abu Sa’id al-Khudri narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (I am content with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion, and with Muhammad (peace be upon him) as my prophet; Paradise has become obligatory for him).
Hadiths on Contentment and Satisfaction
Satisfaction and contentment are deeply interconnected; when a believer accepts God’s will—exalted be He—this leads to a sense of conviction about what has been ordained for them, resulting in a heart that feels secure in faith. It is crucial for Muslims to strive for contentment in all aspects of their lives. Below are some hadiths that highlight this concept:
- Abu Umamah al-Bahili (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (Be content with what Allah has decreed for you, and you will be the richest of people).
- Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (The magnitude of the reward is proportional to the magnitude of the trial; when Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is content, he will receive contentment, and whoever is displeased will receive displeasure).
- Allah, the Exalted, says: (I am as My servant thinks of Me; I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me within himself, I remember him within Myself. If he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a gathering better than that. If he comes to Me an arm’s length, I approach him a fathom’s length, and if he walks towards Me, I race towards him).
Sayings of the Ancients on Contentment and Satisfaction
Contentment with Allah’s decrees arises after a significant commitment to worship, reliance upon Allah, contemplation of the vast universe, and understanding the belief that all matters are in His hands alone. Here are some reflections from the ancients on satisfaction:
- Umar ibn Abdul Aziz said: “I have woken up with no joy except in acceptance of divine decree; whether in times of ease, I offer thanks, or in times of hardship, I exhibit patience.”
- Ibn Ata’ said: “Knowledge that He, the Most High, is the One who tests you lessens the pain of tribulations; therefore, what you face in destiny arises from His wise choices.”
- Ghaylan ibn Jarir stated: “The one who is granted satisfaction, reliance, and delegation has indeed been sufficed.”
- Ibn Mas’ud remarked: “Indeed, Allah has placed peace of heart and joy in certainty and contentment, while sorrow and worry stem from doubt and dissatisfaction.”