When We Seek for a Better Situation

It’s sheer stupidity to seek to introduce in a given time what Allah has not manifested in it.

Only Allah does know what is better for the servant. Since the servant cannot predict what is good and what is bad for him, it is not fair for him to seek for a better situation. He is requested to make better use of whatever situation given to him rather than asking for a better situation. The servant becomes more sincere and honest if he works for the master in whatever situation he was asked to work without asking for a change in the situation of the work. If he believes that he can become more productive and efficient in a different situation, it is tantamount to believing that he knows better than Allah what situation is better for him.

(Ibn 'Athaillah. The Book of Aphorisms. Islamic Book Trust, Kualalumpur, 2010. p.11)