perceived by souls so that they might seek them. For seeking, love, and desire depend upon awareness, perception, and conception. What a person neither perceives nor conceives of nor is aware of cannot be sought, loved, or desired.

Paradise contains both kinds, as Allah Most High says:
“They will have whatever they wish therein, and with Us is more.”
Surah Qāf 35

And He says:
“Therein is whatever the souls desire and the eyes delight in.”
Surah al-Zukhruf 71

Thus, it contains everything they desire, and still more beyond that: things their knowledge has not encompassed for them to desire. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived.” This is a vast subject.

Once you understand this premise, consider the statement, “Contentment means that you do not ask Allah for Paradise or seek His protection from the Fire.” If the speaker means that you should not ask Allah for anything encompassed by Paradise as defined in revelation—so that you do not ask Him to behold Him, or for any of the other things sought by all the prophets and allies of Allah—and that you do not seek refuge in Him