Summary:

• extreme greed with no contentment, no satisfaction and no shukr to Allah. It is a blameworthy desire.

• Dedicating most of our time and effort to our work and / or comparing ourselves to others is a result of avid greed.

• It is a state of our heart and mind and can be never-ending.

• Opposite is contentment: Qan’at.

• How to achieve qana’t;

o Moderation in spending (which is half of our livelihood - Hadith).

o Sustenance is decreed ACCORDING TO OUR EFFORTS AND HARD WORK.

o Realise the honour in being self-sufficient as opposed to degrading and humiliating ourselves to achieve our desires.

o Reflect on the lives of the Prophets.

o Give shukr to Allah. o Be happy with what we have.

o Be realistic and identify those things that are beneficial, and those things that are harmful.

• Greed is a form of psychological slavery; it overcomes us, and we become a slave to it.

• Contentment brings dignity and true freedom.

• Satisfaction is when we do things purely for Allah.

• There will always be someone (including a family) who condemn people who are content because those who are content do not conform with society’s expectations.

• Comparing ourselves to others will bring chronic stress and depression.

• Powerful reminder - Surah Taha [20:131].

However, when it comes to religious practice and piety, we should look at people who are above us to inspire and motivate us to do better for the Hereafter.