Chapter 7 - On Contentment

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Complement God's blessings by submitting to your destiny and giving thanks for the blessings.”

“One who is contented with divine destiny is the one most aware of God.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “The most important aspect of obedience to God is being content with and being patient with what God has decreed whether we like it or not. And when one is content with what God has decreed for him, whether he likes it or not, that which is decreed is best for him.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God has placed some good in whatever He has decreed for a believer with which the believer is content.”

“I swear by My Majesty and My Honor that I have not created any creature dearer to Me than a believer. That is why I put My own name (believer) on him. He should be content with My action if I deprive him of whatever lies between the East and the west, or if I bestow on him whatever exists between the East and the West. He should be patient with any catastrophes that I descend upon him, and he should be grateful for My blessings. O' Muhammad! Please record his name among the honest ones near Me.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said that Imam Hassan Mujtaba (a.s) met Abdullah ibn Ja'far and told him: “O' Abdullah! How can one be a believer if he is not content with what God has destined for him; and considers his position to be low even though God has destined it for him. I guarantee that the supplications of those who think only of God's pleasure will be accepted.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Comfort and convenience lie in contentment and certitude, and sorrow and sadness lie in doubt and anger.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Religious knowledge guides us towards love for God. God will honor those who were chosen by God for their contentment, and God will debase those who make Him angry. Contentment and anger are two of God's creatures, and He will increase which ever He pleases.”

Imam Kazim (a.s) said: “Whoever ignores God should not become upset if his daily bread is delayed. He should not accuse God regarding his destiny.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God can fulfill people's needs through means in the hands of other people. Whoever gets what he needs should be content, patient and accept it from God.”

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “People gather together either out of consent or displeasure. If they are pleased with an affair, they will commit themselves to it. But if they are displeased with an affair, they will abandon it.”

“Those people are so wise and knowledgeable that they are nearly in the position of Prophets.” Then he faced them and said: “Then if you are what you claim to be, do not build what you will not live in; do not collect what you will not eat; and fear God to whom is your return.”

Imam Sajjad (a.s) said: “Perseverance and contentment with divine destiny are the highest forms of God's worship. God will only destine what is beneficial for those who are patient and content with what God destines for them-whether they like it or not.”

One of the companions of Imam Sadiq (a.s) went to see him. The Imam (a.s) was seriously ill and near death. He saw that the Imam (a.s) was very weak, and he cried. Imam Sadiq (a.s) asked why he cried. He said: “Should I not cry seeing you this way?” The Imam (a.s) said: “Do not cry. Believers are always receiving what is good for them. Be it they lose a part of their body, or they become the owner of whatever lies between the East and the West, it is good for them.”

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Being grateful for God's blessings is not committing divinely forbidden acts.”