Will be Happier When...

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

By Abdul Wahab Saleem

The people of the East long for the opportunity to go to the West. Those in the West long for the opportunity to go to the East. The white-skinned wish to become darker through tans. The dark-skinned wish to become white through skin treatments. The old wish to be young and go to any length to regain their youth. The young attempt to appear older and go to great lengths to do so.

The fat attempt to appear skinnier by wearing baggy clothes. The skinny ones try to appear fatter by wearing thicker clothes. The rich pretend to be poor to fit in. The poor pretend to be rich to keep up. The worker acts like the boss whenever possible. The boss acts like the worker whenever being a boss is inconvenient. The husband wants the comfort of staying home just like his wife. The wife wants the freedom of stepping out into the workforce just like her husband.

The parents think of the ease of being a child; everything paid for, everything facilitated, and everything taking care of. The son thinks about the power of being a father; everything he says goes, he leaves home whenever he wants, and he buys whatever he wants. The leaders look at the worry-free lives of their followers. The followers think about the glory of being a leader. The teacher misses the days when he was a student. The student imagines a day when he will teach.

Those with cold winters wish they had hot weather. Those with hot weather wish they could see some snowflakes. Those with rain can't wait until it stops. Those without rain cherish every drop that falls. Those with long nights complain about their short days. Those with long days complain about their short nights. Those who are short wish they could be tall so they could get the attention. Those who are tall are sick of standing out. Those who are famous hide themselves whenever in public. Those who are obscure seek every opportunity to be recognized.

In short, everyone feels that by attaining just that one thing, or a few things, from the lives of others, we would've attained all that we ever wanted. However, the reality is that no matter how much of what others have we attain, our souls will continue to desire more. The only true solution to this consistent greed, indulgence, and ungratefulness is to curb our desires to compete with others, accept and embrace our own circumstances, and make the most of what we have been granted by Allah, with patience and gratitude.