For this reason, the Quran praises those who are content, but does not make such contentment obligatory. This concerns contentment with the afflictions the Lord brings upon His servant, such as illness, poverty, and upheaval. Allah Most High says:

“Those who are patient in hardship and suffering, and in times of battle.”

And He says:

“Or do you think you will enter Paradise without experiencing the like of what befell those who passed away before you? Hardship and suffering afflicted them, and they were shaken.”

Hardship affects wealth, suffering affects the body, and upheaval affects the heart.

As for “contentment with what Allah has commanded,” its essential foundation is obligatory and is part of faith. As the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, said in an authentic hadith:

“He has tasted the sweetness of faith who is content with Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad as his Prophet.”

It is also a consequence of love, as we shall explain, if Allah Most High wills. Allah Most High says:

“But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you judge over their disputes, then find within themselves no objection to your judgment and submit wholeheartedly.”

And He says:

“If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger had given them and had said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us’”—to the end of the verse.

And He says:

“That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked His good pleasure, so He rendered their deeds worthless.”

And He says:

“Nothing prevents their contributions from being accepted except that they disbelieve in Allah and His Messenger, come to prayer only reluctantly, and spend only unwillingly.”

An example of “the first type” is what Ahmad, al-Tirmidhī, and others narrated from Sa‘d, from the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, who said:

“Part of the happiness of the son of Adam is his seeking guidance