Contentment in His Decree

Everything that happens in life is preordained by Allah سبحانه وتعالى.

What has happened was meant to happen and what has not happened was not meant to happen. Nothing happens without His Divine Decree.

مَا أَصَابَ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ نَبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
لِكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا بِمَا آتَاكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
​“No calamity occurs on the earth nor in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. In order that you may not grieve at the things that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters.” [Surah Al-Hadid, ayah 22-23]

True contentment in life is attained by being content in the Divine Decree of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. To accept what He has willed for your life, be it “good” or “bad”. This acceptance is the key to happiness. It is the most powerful and empowering act.

Most of the time, our definition of “good” and “bad” events are in relation to this dunya (world). Whatever we gain in this dunya is “good” and what we lose is “bad”. We get caught up in our desires of this world and wanting life to be “perfect”. We don’t realise that most of the time, those “bad” events are actually good for us. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

وَعَسىٰ أَن تَكرَهوا شَيئًا وَهُوَ خَيرٌ لَكُم ۖ وَعَسىٰ أَن تُحِبّوا شَيئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُم ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعلَمُ وَأَنتُم لا تَعلَمونَ
“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.” [Surah Baqarah, ayah 216]

Contentment is first achieved by having a firm belief that every event in your life is actually good for you. Good for you in terms of spiritual gains. What is perceived as a “bad” event in this dunya may actually be a good event in relation to your Aakhirah (Hereafter). What you are struggling with in this dunya may be the means of you connecting with your Rabb (Lord) and earning a bounty of reward for your patience. The moment you understand that even when Allah سبحانه وتعالى is depriving you, He is actually GIVING you, your life will TRANSFORM. This move is life-changing. To understand this concept and to firmly believe in it is a far greater and more valuable achievement than the worldly gain you wish for. !سبحان الله

Secondly, we must remind ourselves of the beautiful attributes of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Do you forget that Allah is The Most-Compassionate, The Most-Loving, The Most-Giving, The Most-Aware? He loves His dutiful creation and would never give a hardship to His slave for no purpose.
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We can never change what is out of our control. So why be upset over that which is solely in the Hands of Allah? As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Tie your camel and put your trust in Allah.” Focus on what you can do and what is beyond your control, you entrust to Allah.

قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلَّا مَا ڪَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوۡلَٮٰنَا‌ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَڪَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ
“Say: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Master. And in Allah let the believers put their trust.” [Surah At-Tawbah, verse 51]

Practising contentment upon the Decree of Allah سبحانه وتعالى is the quality of a true believer. It is the tool that guides the believers to go through the most difficult of tests with ease.

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى instil our hearts with contentment in His Decree and make us amongst those who firmly put their trust in Him. Ameen