Principle 31 — Look at the One Below You

The Prophet of Islam has enjoined his followers not to look to those above themselves but look to those below themselves in material matters. In this way, they will not degrade the blessings of God upon them. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2513) The system of this world is made by God in such a way that there are always ups and downs. Some are ahead, and some are behind. The advantage of this condition is that an environment of competition is always maintained. It is because of this challenge and competition that progress and development take place in life. On this basis, it happens that someone is ahead of someone and behind another. A man should always look at the one below him. The advantage of this comparison is that he will see more of what God has given him. He will continue to thank God for it. On the contrary, if he only looks at the one above him, he will develop a feeling of hatred and resentment.