The Simple Life
In a quiet coastal village, there lived a humble fisherman named Hamza. Every morning, he would wake up before Fajr, pray, and set out to sea with his small boat and fishing net. He never caught much, just enough to feed his family and sell a little in the market.
One day, a wealthy merchant visited the village and saw Hamza resting under a tree after a long day of fishing. Curious, the merchant asked, “Why don’t you work harder and catch more fish?”
Hamza smiled and replied, “Alhamdulillah, I have enough. I catch what I need, spend time with my family, and thank Allah for His blessings.”
The merchant laughed and said, “But if you catch more fish, you can sell them, buy a bigger boat, hire workers, and become rich!”
Hamza asked, “And then what?”
The merchant replied, “Then you can relax and enjoy life.”
Hamza chuckled and said, “But that is exactly what I am doing now. I already enjoy life, and I do not need to chase wealth to find happiness. My heart is content with what Allah provides.”
A Lesson in Contentment
That night, as Hamza prayed, he remembered the words of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ):
“Richness is not having many possessions, but richness is being content with oneself.” (Bukhari, 6446; Muslim, 1051)
Despite his simple life, he felt like the richest man in the world because his heart was full of gratitude.
The Power of Shukr (Gratitude)
One day, a storm hit the village, and many boats were lost at sea. But Hamza, who had trusted in Allah and lived modestly, still had his small boat and enough provisions. The villagers who had chased wealth were left struggling, while Hamza shared what little he had with them.
The villagers realized that true wealth was not in gold or possessions but in gratitude and reliance on Allah.
Moral Lessons
- Gratitude Brings True Wealth – Being thankful for what we have brings peace and happiness.
- Contentment is a Blessing – Chasing endless wealth can lead to stress, but trusting in Allah brings tranquility.
- Give and You Will Receive – Hamza shared what little he had, and Allah protected and blessed him.
- Success is Not Just Money – A rich heart is more valuable than a full bank account.
May Allah make us among those who are always grateful. Ameen.
