By
Sadaf Azhar – Hiba’s Sub Editor
Is fairness an objective or subjective idea? Can we all agree on what is ‘fair’ for each human being? For instance, could we agree on one salary for all people?
Behind this notion of ‘unfairness’ is the mindset of entitlement, a selfishness behind the refrain ‘I didn’t get this’ or ‘I deserved that’.
What we perceive as fair or unfair is based on our perception of ourselves and the imperfect knowledge of the world around us.
It reflects our priorities in life – we tend to focus on ourselves and those whom we love or care for rather than others suffering in the world, such as famine or war victims elsewhere.
The Gratitude Mindset
Ibn Qayyim explains that those who accuse Allah (swt) of not being just don’t really want life in general to be fair, but life to be ‘unfair’ in their own favour. We only complain when we get the bad end- no one complains of life being ‘unfair’ when he or she is showered with worldly wealth or success. The root of this perception of unfairness, therefore, lies in ingratitude.
Abdullah bin Amr al Aas (rta) narrates that the Prophet (sa) said that you might be given enough but since you lack contentment, you won’t fall in the category of those whom Allah (swt) considers as the successful people. This contentment with what Allah (swt) has decreed for you is the basis for a gratitude mindset that recognizes Allah (swt) as Al- Adl, The Just.
Wealth is a greater test than poverty and the rich shall enter Paradise 500 years later than the poor because they shall be questioned about their use of resources that they were blessed with.
Imam Qurtubi explains that the Prophet (sa) passed the test of wealth because his personality and attitude did not change when he became wealthy. He continued looking after the orphans and widows and taking care of his relatives.
Then Allah (swt) stripped him of his wealth and he experienced total poverty – he lost his wealth, his loving wife and uncle, and finally the support of his tribe and extended family in the hostile Arab environment. The Prophet (sa) himself suffered emotionally and physically – he buried 6 of his seven children himself. Yet he displayed ‘excellence’ and Ihsan even in these straightened circumstances.
The Prosperity Doctrine – A Mirage
Most religions have the concept of the ‘prosperity doctrine’ whereby if the Divine Presence loves you, you’re well off.
Islam preaches the opposite – poverty is a test for those Allah (swT) loves. He withholds the Dunya the way you withhold water from a sick person (to break addictions). When He withholds in this world, He will give more or better in the next.
The Companions used to be upset for the Prophet’s (sa) deprivation of material wealth and they cried when they witnessed his grinding poverty and hunger. This was because they believed he deserved the best in both worlds. The Prophet (sa), however, encouraged a shift in their mindset by asking: ‘Aren’t you satisfied that they have the Dunya and we have the Aakhirah?’
He used to ask Allah (swt) for ‘just enough’ in this worldly life. As witnessed by Omar (rta), the prophet (sa) used to sleep on a date palm mat that would leave marks on his back. Yet, the prophet (sa) never complained and throughout his life, whether wealthy or poor, he would always be willing to help out others in any way possible.
The Opportunity to do Good Deeds
In the Masnoon Dua we are recommended to ask for the ‘Hasanah’ in this world and the Hereafter. Imam Hasan al Basri defines ‘Hasanah’ as knowledge that is beneficial, pure earnings (Rizq) and deeds that are accepted by Allah (swt).
Note that he does not define as Hasanah a vast earnings, but pure and good earnings. This was why the companions understood the value of doing good in every facet of life, using all that Allah (swt) had blessed them with.
Once, the poor companions complained about the rich ones having more opportunities for doing good through their wealth by giving charity. Note that they did not complain about the unfairness of the distribution of wealth for their own worldly consumption but focused on the missed opportunity for doing good.
Similarly once the Prophet (sa) asked his companion Rabia (rta) to pray for anything he wished for. Rabia (rta) asked for the Prophet’s (sa)’ companionship in the Hereafter, not for any worldly benefit.
Imam ibn Hazm, an Andulusian scholar, debated once and proved his point by quoting from an obscure text. His opponent taunted him claiming he couldn’t refer to that text because the oil from his lamp ran out (an allusion to his poverty), so Ibn Hazm replied: ‘I had a difficult time looking at it under the golden chandeliers of my house.’ This statement routed his opponent, for wealth can ‘blind’ us to the truth and make us ungrateful and wasteful.
Life isn’t fair, but Allah (swt) is in His Divine Wisdom of protecting us, from our own folly.
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