Shaykh Abdool Haq Makada recently mentioned a story about a man who was seeking happiness. He turned to Allah and made dua to find a happy person. Soon after, he stumbled across a man who appeared happy. He had healthy children, a beautiful home and orchard. Before making dua to be blessed like him, he visited his home. The man told him to return in the evening. In the evening, he told him that I married a beautiful woman but she died very young. Then I married another beautiful and pious woman.
One day, she fell critically ill. I cried profusely by her bedside, fearing she may pass away. She asked, “what’s wrong?” and I disclosed my fears of losing her. She advised me to remarry if she died but I refused. To prove my love to her, I then lost my manhood. Allah chose to turn the tables and my wife healed. However, now we are both in difficulty. All my children are from my first marriage, not second. Therefore, don’t make dua to become like me.
It is easy to look at others and within minutes, pass an inaccurate judgement that they are lucky and we are not. This is completely untrue. Some people appear fortunate outwardly but they are struggling in silence. Some people appear to be struggling outwardly but their hearts are at ease. Thus, never assume that the grass is greener on the other side. It is not. Your grass is green enough. Rather than wasting time watching others, invest your time in cultivating your own land, in improving your own life. Some people are constantly comparing their lives with others. This breeds jealousy and shifts our focus away from our own hearts. Resist the temptation and focus on your own growth and progress instead. Recognise that the pursuit of happiness is the pursuit of Allah, there is no other happiness comparable. May Allah grant us this understanding, aameen.
— Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه اللّٰه
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s talk on 21/6/19 in Nigel. To listen to the full talk, please click here.