The value of looking back

It is natural for man to admire or cherish the comforts of this life including wealth and power. Allah (SWT) asserts in Qur’an 3:14 that “Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet;women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world’s life…” 

While Qur’an 28:77 makes it lawful in Islam for one to seek the legitimate needs of this life, such must begin and end with gratitude to Allah (SWT). Ingratitude is anattribute of Shaytan, the devil, because it led him out of the angelic world to the sinful planet of mankind.Gratitude, on the other hand,elevates ordinary servants of Allah (SWT) to the sacred congregation of righteous men of God.

A life of sincere gratitude to Allah (SWT) is missingin many of today’s believing men and women.One factor that possibly explains this modern psyche is the radicaldislodgment of contentment by crass materialism from the mind of many contemporary men and women. A mind lacking contentment is one doomed to ever remain ungrateful. However,a person’s mind is guided to genuine gratitude each time it looks back.

“Looking back” or “to look back” is a phrasal verb that could mean “to think about a time or an eventthatis past”. Within the context of this discourse, “looking back” is used to denote the ability tolook at how and where one was coming from in order to appreciate the verdict of fate upon present circumstances. Looking back enables a person to appreciate people who are physically, mentally, politically and socio-economically less-privileged. Anyone who keeps comparing himself/herself with those who are better favoured by Allah (SWT)will never find contentment. 

If you are complaining that your personal house in which you are living is not as big as you wanted,take time to look back that you once had no house of your own. Also, thereare many others who live in rented accommodations. If you are not happy because you cannot replace your old car with a new one, look back to reflect that you once lived without a car. Besides, there are still many of your contemporaries who do not own even a motorcycle. Those who think it is a misfortune to ride on a motorcycle for many years without graduating into the league of car owners should look back at thousands of others in their age group who do not own even a bicycle.A man guided to the path of contentment would say, “I was crying because I had no shoes until I saw someone without legs”. Indeed,to be contented is to be fulfilled as fulfillment is not the attainment of what you desire but the realization of what you already have.

If you are angry because of delayed promotions in your workplace, take time to look back at some of your primary and secondary school classmates who perhaps never got to the position you have attained. Others may not have even been privileged torise to senior cadre in the civil service. Some of your classmates could have beenworking as drivers, gatemen, cooks, stewards or menial jobemployees. If you are unhappy because your marriage has not been blessed with a male or female child, look back at those who probably got married before you buthaven’t been blessed with even one.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the greatest of mankind; yet, he was survived by only one female child, Fatima (RA). Allah (SWT) mentions in Qur’an42:29-50 “… He bestows (children) male or female according to His will (and plan); Or He bestows both males and females and leaves barren whom He wills…”Aisha (RA), the Prophet’s wife (RA), was not blessed with a child. When she complained to the Prophet (SAW), he (SAW) consoled her and said, “You are Umm ul-Muminin” meaning “Mother of (all) believers”.

Looking back helps a believer to remain grateful in all circumstances. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 14:7 “…If ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you…”A person who is not contented with what he has would also not be satisfied with what he would like to have. Allah (SWT), the Omniscience, has reasons for distorting or delaying orcompletely denying us some of our requests especially those ones we are desperate about. He (SWT) knows best that which is best for us. A believer has no cause to be desperate over anything in life. A contented man is one whose heart is a calm sea in the midst of tumultuous storms. 

A believer has every cause to be grateful to his creator, Allah (SAW). To be alive with two eyes, two hands, two legs, two ears and an active tonguewithout any form of physical disabilityis man’s loftiest asset in life. The secret of happiness in life lies in recognizing Allah’s inestimable gifts in you and losingthe craving desire forall the things you lack. Acknowledging what you possess, tangible or intangible, is a steady pathway to contentment. A man who is always looking at what someone else has will never be contented in life.

Let us not be like the fictional Oliver Twist whoseinsatiability for more blindfolded him from “looking back” at those outside of their workhouse who, perhaps, haven’t had a meal. Nine-year-old Oliver is a character in Charles Dickens second novel, which was published in book form, for the first time, in 1839. Oliver was an orphan who was sold in to apprenticeship and lived in the parish workhouse where he and other boys were given three meals of thin gruel a day, with an onion twice a week, and half a roll on Sundays. 

Without necessarily probing into the circumstances that prompted Oliver’s action (because that is not necessary for the purpose of this piece), Oliver rose from the table after the gruel had been served out and advanced with a basin and spoon in hand towards their master, and said “Please, sir, I want some more”. Attendants present were paralyzed with wonder. “What!” said the master in a faint voice. “Please, sir”, replied Oliver, “I want some more” This is the literary origin of the English expressionsabout Oliver Twist asking for more.

Let usshun ingratitudeby looking back at our more difficult days aswell as thetrying moments of themiserable class. May Allah (SWT) guide us to appreciate Allah’s immeasurablefavours upon us, amin.