Do You not Prefer

Umar bin al-Khattab (radi Allahu anhu) related: “Once I went to the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and found him lying on a mat of date palm leaves, with nothing between him and the mat. The texture of the mat left deep marks on his body, and under his head was a pillow stuffed with date bark. Upon seeing that I said, ‘O my master, pray to Allah to grant prosperity to your followers. He has bestowed riches on the people of Rome and Persia, even though they are not believers.’ But the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, ‘O Umar, do you not prefer that they take the joys of this world and we take those of the Hereafter?’” [Bukhari]

Isn’t it the same with us, that we wonder why the non-Muslims and hypocrites have the good life while Muslims suffer? In fact, some imagine that this is the result of Allah’s being pleased with them! On the contrary, it is because there is nothing for the disbelievers in the next life!

Pious people worry if they see themselves getting the things of this world, for they fear being counted among the hypocrites and not having any good reserved for them in the next life.

So don’t look up to the non-Muslims, nor go to their lands; Instead, prefer the joys of the Hereafter awaiting the followers of Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam).