Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Bismillahir-Rahmanir- Rahim

1. Introduction

Extraordinary, God-conscious friends, sociologically speaking, humans are often trapped in “status bias.” We tend to judge a person based on outward attributes like wealth, position, or beauty. Yet psychologically, happiness built on these worldly standards is extremely fragile because it is relative and temporary. Islam offers a value orientation that is far more stable and soothing: Knowledge and Deeds. When our focus shifts from “what we own” to “who we are and what benefit we bring,” the soul will feel true freedom from the demands of human expectations. 2. Explanation

Qur’anic and Hadith Evidence

A. Qur’anic Verse (The value of knowledge):

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى الَّذِيْنَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ وَالَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ

“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’” (QS. Az-Zumar: 9) B. Qur’anic Verse (The value of deeds):

وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجٰتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوْا

“And for all there are degrees according to what they have done.” (QS. Al-Ahqaf: 19)

3. Lessons and Message

Your worth before Allah is not measured by how many people know you in this world, but by how many inhabitants of heaven long for your righteous deeds. Do not feel inferior for lacking wealth, and do not be arrogant for having it. God’s scale knows no economic caste; He only knows the sincerity of the heart and the depth of knowledge. Remember the story of Abdullah bin Mas‘ud, a Companion whose calves were very thin. One day, other Companions laughed when they saw his small calves as he climbed a tree. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then said with a deeply moving tone: “What are you laughing at? By Allah, those small calves will weigh more on the mizan—the scale on the Day of Judgment—than Mount Uhud.” How often the world belittles what is greatly exalted in heaven. Imagine two mobile phones. One has a casing made of pure gold but its battery is dead and its system is broken. The other has a cheap plastic casing full of scratches, but its battery is full and its functions are highly advanced to help many people. In the eyes of “collectors of lifeless objects,” the gold one may be more expensive. But in the eyes of “users,” the one that functions is what matters. The world looks at your casing, but Allah looks at the “function” (deeds) and the “system” (knowledge) within you. We are unique. We’re willing to spend hours using photo filters to look “glowing” on social media, but rarely “filter” our hearts from envy and malice. We pride ourselves on wearing branded goods to be respected, even though the angels will never ask, “Hey, what brand were your sandals in the world?” or “How many followers did you have on TikTok?” The angels are more interested in the “blue check” from Allah, not from social media admins!

4. Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters, let us begin to correct our scale of judgment. Do not be dazzled by the deceptive glitter of the world. Pursue knowledge that brings you closer to the Creator, and perform deeds that lighten the burdens of others. Because in the end, we will return home carrying only those two provisions.

والله أعلم بالصواب

الحمد لله رب العالمين

Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmaullahi Wabarakatuh.

ِAbu Sultan Al-Qadrie