Parable 13: What can we do so that we can live comfortably in this world?

The Qur’an states that

{لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ وَٱللَّـهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ}

“that you may not grieve for what escapes you, nor rejoice in what has come to you; God loves not any man proud and boastful,”^([1]) Is it true that one can live in such a balanced lifestyle that obtaining something or losing another won’t have any effect on us?

A staff member in a bank is one day responsible for accepting cash deposits and on another day is responsible for the withdrawal of cash from deposit accounts.  On neither day will they be either happy nor will they be sad at the gain or loss of money from the bank… knowing they are simply a trustee of the money.

Another example: To the tyres of a tractor, it makes no difference whether or not the ground on which it rolls on is smooth or not.  However, for the tyres of bicycle, it certainly will make a difference.  A bird on a thin twig will have an effect on the twig when it stands or sits on it, but won’t make any difference if it lands on a tree branch.

So an eminent person with piety in his heart will not be affected by peripheral (or worldly) issues.

During the torridness of the day of Ashura and the arrows pounding in the direction of Imam Hussein peace be upon him, in Karbala, his prayers were in the best order and with humility, while if the slightest breeze of difficulty touches us, all humility evaporates from our prayers.

[1] Al Hadeed 57:23