remaining unchanged in condition regardless of whether he is granted something or not.”^[1]

This means a person’s heart remains content, at ease, accepting and pleased regardless of whether Allah grants them something or makes them face testing circumstances. This is the second level of being pleased with the fact Allah is one’s Lord.

Being content with divine decree

RābiꜤah Baṣriyyah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْهَا was a pious, saintly lady. In her presence, a person once made duʿā by exclaiming, “O Allah! Be pleased with me.”

This duʿā is perfectly fine and it is often heard being made. Yet, the friends of Allah have their own unique ways.  RābiꜤah Baṣriyyah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْهَا heard this duʿā and said, “Do you not have shame? You ask Allah to be pleased with you, whereas you are not pleased with Him.”

A person seated nearby asked, “What does it mean for a person to be pleased with Allah?”

She replied, “When you are pleased upon falling into difficulty the way you are pleased upon receiving a blessing, only then shall it be said you are pleased with Allah.”^[2]

For example, if a person came to us and said, “You’ve just won a million pounds”, imagine how happy we would be. We would sit up out of happiness. Our hearts would be overjoyed, and we wouldn’t be able to stop smiling. Perhaps we would feel like we’re dreaming.

On the other hand, let’s say someone comes and says, “Your shop has burnt down, and all your products have been destroyed.” Imagine the sadness we’d feel. We would be completely downtrodden. Signs of