In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

bu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] narrated that the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] sallal said, “Look at those who are below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more suitable lest you look down on Allaah’s blessings”. [Saheeh Muslim’ Hadeeth Number 2963]

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated: A person should neither be covetous of this worldly life nor anxious due to what afflicts him, rather he should exercise patience and hope for [Allaah’s reward due to exercising patience] – whether he is poor, sick or other than that. The worldly life is a place of trial and test, so one should not become anxious due to calamities and trials. And what makes this affair easier for a person is the guidance given by the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] in this hadeeth [as follows]: “Look at those who are below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more suitable lest you look down on Allaah’s blessings”.

A poor person should look at the one who is poorer and should not look at a wealthier [person], because if Allaah willed He would have placed you in the same situation as that poor person who has nothing. You have something – your daily nourishment; but that one poorer than you has nothing – not even his daily nourishment. You are in a better situation, so praise Allaah for this and do not look at the wealthier people because that will lead you to harbour anger against Allaah and being displeased with His divine Will, and then saying, “Why can I not be like such and such person; why am not like the wealthy people?’’ This is the meaning of looking down on the blessing you have. But if you look at the person below you, it will make you thankful because your situation is better than that of many people. Therefore, the one in good health should look at the sick person and then praise Allaah for granting him good health. The one who is sick should look at the one who is sicker than him and then praise Allaah for being less sick than the person who is sicker than him. This [hadeeth embodies] a great principle, therefore, ‘look to the one below you’ in wealth, health and in other affairs.

However, this should not be the case in affairs related to acts of worship. In affairs related to acts of worship, you should not look at the one below you. You should not look at the lazy people and those who neglect their religious duties, rather you should look at the righteous and God fearing people so that you can join them in performing good deeds and be similar to them. Therefore, with regards to affairs related to the religion, you should not look at the one below you, rather you should look at the one above you in the religion, for why do not want to be like him; why do you not want to be like the righteous people; why do not want to emulate the God fearing scholars? (Footnote 2) If you are a student of knowledge, you should not be satisfied with the sciences of the religion you have acquired; rather you should seek to increase in knowledge as long as you are alive.

[An Excerpt from ‘Tasheelul il’haami Bi-Fiqhil Ahaadeethi Min Bulooghil Maraam’ Hadeeth Number 1438’ Vol 6′ pages 168-169. Publisher: Daar Al-Imaam Ahmad’ 1st Edition 1430AH – Year 2009]