DO NOT BE UNGRATEFUL

Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet of Islam said:
“Look at those who are below you (in worldly matters), and do not look at those who are above you. This will help you avoid belittling the blessings that God has granted you.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2963)

Worldly resources are not distributed equally. Some people have more, while others have less. One person may be given one type of blessing, and another may receive something different. This natural difference in distribution creates disparities between people in worldly terms.

In this situation, if a person compares themselves with someone who appears to have less, it will awaken a sense of gratitude within them. But if they compare themselves with someone who seems to have more, it will lead to feelings of discontent and ingratitude.

To avoid this psychological trap, the Prophet offered a simple and practical solution: Each person should look at those who are less fortunate than themselves—not at those who are more fortunate.

The Persian sage Shaykh Saadi once wrote:

“I had no shoes and felt distressed seeing others wearing them. But then I saw a man who had no feet. That sight made me thankful to God, who had blessed me with two healthy feet—far greater than a pair of shoes.”

God desires gratitude from everyone. But in today’s world, only those who consciously train themselves to think this way—those who become their own guardians against ingratitude—are able to remain truly grateful.