1250 – Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Look at those who are below you and do not look at those who are above you; that is more likely to keep you from belittling Allah’s favor upon you.” Agreed upon.⦗1⦘

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Glossary of the ḥadith
• ajdar: derived from jidr, the root of a tree—something firmly fixed. Here it means “more fitting, more deserving,” i.e., more conducive to your not discounting Allah’s blessing upon you.
• tazdarū: from izdarāʾ—“to despise, to look down on.”

Points derived from the ḥadith

1. True tranquility of heart comes only from a sound outlook and from contentment with what Allah has allotted. When a person trains his soul to be satisfied and reminds his heart of Allah’s favors, he enjoys psychological ease, inner serenity, and acceptance of what Allah apportions. His aspirations in worldly matters no longer chase after those who outstrip him, nor do his eyes covet what lies in their hands. By doing so he gains peace of heart, cheerfulness of soul, and a pleasant life. Otherwise, no matter how much he amasses or how far his worldly circumstances improve, he will always see someone more privileged than himself; his heart will remain distressed, his conscience fatigued, his body worn out, and he will drift into distraction and heedlessness, neglecting to prepare for the everlasting life and enduring happiness.

2. The Prophet ﷺ directed his community to the path of contentment and pointed them to the way of acceptance. He told them, in matters of this world, to look to those who are beneath them and less favored. However poor a servant may become, he will find someone poorer; however ill he may be, he will encounter one whose illness is more severe