Contentment in a Materialistic World

Our current world contains many advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, there is a grappling tendency of material commodities that cling to us, spin us around like a hammer throw in the Olympics, making us revolve around them.

“We think that the things we buy and have, that we are their masters. We don’t become their masters but actually we become their slaves. They become our masters. Their lives don’t revolve around us, our lives start revolving around them” –Alif by Umera Ahmed

Although items like money, food, clothes, furniture, gadgets, etc. are items of necessity, it’s important that they remain just to fulfill one’s needs, not become the means of attempting to give fulfillment to nourish one’s soul. If we vigorously pursue a materialistic life, we will be stuck in a non-stop rat race trying to claim more or be better than the next person because that’s what we think true peace and happiness looks like. 

“Woe unto him who amasses wealth and counts it a safeguard, thinking that his wealth will make him live forever! – Surah Al–Humazah(104:2-3)

We’d be agitated, restless, anxious, and living with other negative feelings because one could achieve everything in this world, yet lust for more. Agitation and restlessness can lead to a volatile temper; anxiety can lead to severe panic attacks. Relationships become torn apart as objects are loved more than people. The need to satiate one’s mind and body can lead to one indulging in crimes as severe as theft, murder or rape. 

Materialism spreads like a virus; no one is safe.  The constant need for satisfaction will gradually destroy one’s self esteem; therefore questions like ‘What’s the purpose of life?’ emerge.

What’s the solution to living in a materialistic world you’re dependent on to satisfy your needs? Take what you need, be content with what you have and don’t have. You have a mind and body, but also a soul. You can feed and clothe your body, bombard your mind with music, but your soul will be screaming for nourishment. By not listening to your soul, you’ll let it suffocate and pull you into an endless void. Once you feed the soul, you flower the seed of contentment which takes root, grows and spreads to your mind and body, providing you ease. 

Contentment is ‘What I have is enough, but what I have should nourish my soul’:

1. Evaluate your life. What are you doing now? What are your priorities and goals? What does most of your time and effort revolve around? Does it provide you comfort or anxiety? How much of your time do you spend doing/buying things because others are doing it? How strong is your moral compass?

2. Dedicate your time and effort to what you’re passionate about and what you’re good at, being a hobby or a profession. When you do what you love, you’ll feel content.

3. Choose not to let others’ comments, criticisms, gossips, and slander hurt you. Don’t worry about what people will say, worry about what Allah will say to you. You’ll be content as you focus on serving one God as compared to multiple gods, each with their unique mindset. 

4. Escape the rat race of life and accept that contentment is a state of mind, not an array of valuable items so you stop searching every corner for peace and simply find it within your soul.

5. Reconnect with Allah; the One Who can soften even the hearts of stone. Don’t ever think that you can never change. When you will change, Allah will make it ‘Be’. 

6. Don’t show your back when things go south. There is always a Plan for everything, designed especially to your favor. Simply be patient and see for yourself.

By re-orienting your priorities, your soul will shine so bright, it will inspire others. You will have all you need to face any obstacle in the demanding materialistic world and you will cherish each moment of joy and sorrow.

“This life is nothing but a sport and play. As for the next abode, that most surely is life; did they but know.” Surah Al – Ankabut(29:64)