Contentment repels sadness

The Messenger of Allah (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:”We do not say other than that which pleases our Lord.”Upon you is a sacred duty to surrender yourself to what is preordained for you. lf you fulfill this duty, you will be successful in the long run.Your only escape is to believe in preordainment, since whatever has been decreed must inevitably take place. No subterfuge or artifice can protect you from it.Emerson said:“From where has the idea come to us which says that a luxurious stable life, free from obstacles and hardships, creates prosperous and great men’? The case is quite the opposite.Those who have made a habit of living the easy life will continue to further develop lazy habits as they go on in life. History witnesses that greatness has surrendered its reins to men of different backgrounds. From these backgrounds are environments that have both good and bad, or environments where good and bad cannot be distinguished. And from such environments have sprouted up men who have carried great responsibilities on their shoulders without ever negligently casting them off.”Who were those that carried the flag of Divine guidance in the early days of Islam? They were the freed slaves, the poor, and the destitute. And most of the people who stood defiantly against them were the nobles, the chiefs, and the rich.(And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, those who disbelieve [the rich and strong among the pagans of Quraysh who lived a Life of luxury] say to those who believe [the weak, poor Companions of Prophet Muhammad] : ‘Which of the two groups [i.e. believers and disbelievers] is best in position and station [place in council for consultation].   (Qur’an 19: 73)(And they say: We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.)  (Qur’an 34: 35)(Thus we have tried some of them with others, that they might say: (Is it these [poor believers] that Allah has favored from amongst us?’      Does not Allah know best those who are grateful?)  (Qur’an 6: 53)(And those who disbelieve [strong and wealthy] say of those who believe [weak and poor]: ‘had it [Islamic Monotheism to which Muhammad is inviting mankind] been a good thing, they [weak and poor] would not have preceded us thereto!)  (Qur’an 46: 11)(Those who were arrogant said: ‘Verily, we disbelieve in that which you believe in.)(Qur’an 7: 76)(And they say: ‘Why is not this Qur’an sent down to some great man of the two towns [Makkah and Ta’if]?’  Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord?)  (Qur’an 43: 31-32)I often recall the verses of Antara, in which he establishes that his worth is in his character and deeds, and not in his lineage or connections. He said:”Despite being a slave, I am a noble chief;And despite being black in color, I have a white character.”