A man reviled Ibn ʿAbbās, so he replied, “You revile me even though I have three traits: When I learn something about an āyah from the Book of Allāh, I wish that everyone would know it too; when I hear about a ruler from the rulers of Muslims who governs justly I become happy, even though I may never have to go to him for a ruling; and when I hear about a rainfall in a land from the lands of Muslims, I become happy even though I may not have any cattle in that land.”
These three traits are the clearest reflection of a pure, sound heart. A heart that is able to find happiness in the fortune of another person. This is the heart that doesn’t envy or wish bad for others.
As simple as these traits may be, they’re the hardest to come by. People love to be better than others and to remain superior to them, so they hold back in the benefit they can offer to others and they’re reluctant to guide people to the good that they’ve come by—the greatest of this good is what is linked to the Book of Allāh.
These traits are a few examples, perhaps not everyone will be able to relate to them. A more context appropriate example might be when you hear about a friend who recently got married or had a baby, how often do you find yourself rolling your eyes and thinking, “Ugh, another one! Everyone is getting married/having babies!” It’s in the subtleness of our reaction that we reveal what is hidden in our chests.
Apply this to whatever circumstance you wish (a friend got a well paying job; a new car; travels often…) and observe your reaction each time. Wherever you find resentment of not having received your blessings, change that to conviction in your Lord—that He can give you just as He gave them.
May Allāh purify our hearts.
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