Look at those who are below you, and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely to hold you back from belittling the blessing of Allah upon you

Arabic text

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «انْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ، وَلَا تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَكُمْ، فَهُوَ أَجْدَرُ أَلَّا تَزْدَرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ».

Translation

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Look at those who are below you, and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely to hold you back from belittling the blessing of Allah upon you."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the Muslim to look at those who are below him and lower than him in terms of status, wealth, prestige, etc., and not to look at those who are above him or better than him in his worldly affairs. This is because looking at those who are below you is more likely to prevent you from despising or belittling the blessings of Allah upon you.

Benefits

• Contentment is one of the believers' most noble traits and it is a sign of being pleased with the decree of Allah.
• Ibn Jarīr said: This is a comprehensive Hadīth that encompasses various forms of goodness. When a person sees someone who has been given preference over him in this world, his soul desires the same, belittling the blessings bestowed upon him by Allah Almighty, and he becomes eager to acquire more to reach or match that person. This is the condition of most people. However, if he looks at those who are below him in worldly matters, he will recognize the blessings of Allah upon him, giving thanks, humbling himself, and doing good with what he has.

Topics

• Virtues and Manners
• Heart-Softeners and Sermons
• Purification of Souls