Going After Mugs

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Riches does not mean having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment.” [Saheeh Bukhaari]

A group of alumni well established in their careers went to visit one of their old teachers. The conversation soon turned to complaints about stress in life and work. Offering his guests coffee, he went to the kitchen and returned with a big pot and an assortment of mugs; porcelain, plastic, ceramic, bone china - some plain looking, some expensive and exquisite.

When all the students had helped themselves to a cup of coffee, the teacher said, “If you notice, all the nice looking expensive mugs are taken up leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. Each of you wants only the best mug for himself, and that is the source of your problems. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the mug, but you all consciously went for better mugs and are eyeing each other’s mugs. If life is coffee then the jobs, money and position in society are the mugs.”

Each of us has life. Each of us has equal opportunity to earn any level of Jannah. The routes will be different depending on whether you have a handicapped child to care for, piety through starvation to display, or restraint to exhibit from spending your wealth to maintain a high standard of living for yourself. But instead of worrying about what we can earn of Jannah with our lives and Allah’s obedience, we are busy going after nicer mugs.

Foolish people exchange their peace of mind and tranquility of heart to acquire wealth, while wise people exchange their wealth for peace of mind and tranquility of heart. [Sukun-e-Qalb]

Where do hearts find peace?

“Listen, hearts find peace only in the remembrance of Allah.” [Quran: Surah ar-Raad, Ayat 28]