Living in Gratitude...: Needs & Wants

Peace be upon all...

I chanced upon these two hadith during my reflection hour...yes, Alhamdullilah, my wish and my dua came true...Allah has given me the luxury of time to do morning reflections without being disturbed and feeling rushed. At least 2 or 3 times and sometimes 4 times (depending on my hubby working hours) a week I get some time to do reflection. These two hadith have inspired me to write on needs and wants...

It is reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas that there was (once) a downpour during the life of the Apostle (may peace and blessings be upon him Upon this the Apostle (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed: Some people entered the morning with gratitude and some with ingratitude (to Allah). Those who entered with gratitude said: This is the blessing of Allah, and those who entered with ingratitude said: Such and such asterism was right. It was upon this that the verse was revealed: I swear by the setting of the stars to the end and make your provision that you should disbelieve it. (Sahih Muslim – Book #001, Hadith #0135)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “There is a (compulsory) Sadaqa (charity) to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah) everyday the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqa, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as Sadaqa, and (saying) a good word is also Sadaqa, and every step taken on one’s way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqa and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqa.” (Sahih Bukhari – Book #52, Hadith #232)

Haha! But the hadith are on Gratitude & Sadaqah, what have both got to do with Needs & Wants? ... Well, I almost change the title to gratitude but really our mind is a web in itself and we can link and integrate any value to one another and make sense of it...it just dawned on me that in order for you to be in gratitude you have to be able to differentiate you needs and your wants...

The feeling of being thankful and being in gratitude with what you have will make you focus on the needs of the day and away from your wants.

Let me give a simple example, I m thankful for my health and therefore I feel in gratitude to Allah that He had given me good health and strength to do my obligations during the day. In order to show that gratitude I promised to look after my health by exercising and eating food that will make me healthy. As such I will only do things that are needed; to exercise and eat healthy food to show to Allah that I am thankful for what He has given me and in the process I will be rewarded with good health...it’s cyclical! And thus avoid my wants of all those junk food...

There were times when I thought of or I was asked to advice someone on certain things and I backed off with the following questions:

1. Does this person see the NEED to change?

2. Is whatever he/she is doing is a PROBLEM to her/him?

3. Or is it a PROBLEM to others/me?

Firstly, if this person WANTS to change but do not really see the NEEDs – forget it! But if he or she wants to change and see the need to change then, I’ll help.

Secondly, if she or he does not think it is a problem – forget it! But if it is a problem to her or him then we can work something out.

Thirdly, if it is a problem to others then those who thinks that it is a problem has to make the change that will not affect people who does not think that it is a problem. Tricky? Well here is an example; I used to get irritated at loud voices when I was working in the office. I am an A.D. so, anything for that matter will distract me. But those people who make the noises do not think it is a problem...ya, yah u can said they are so inconsiderate and whatever not and blame others – but what good will it be? The problem is YOU find it is a problem. While others doesn’t. So YOU have to CHANGE because it is your NEEDs not others. So whenever I need to block the sound off I put on my earpiece and listen to music that will allow me to focus. or I look at it as time to socialize and join them and make the noises together (socialize lah).

Thus it is no longer a problem to me. I want to get rid of the noises when I see the need to get rid of it...

Well there are many other issues on wants and needs when it comes to buying stuff but that is another long story...I will WANT to write about it when I see the NEED...