The Meaning and Function of Qanaah: “Learn to Accept without Forgetting Obligations”

The Meaning and Function of Qana’ah in Life

As humans who have a conscience. Surely someone will crave a sense of security, comfort, and peace in his life. This feeling will certainly emerge from within and outside of humanity itself. Because of his nature as a human being, he wants that sense of security, comfort, and peace.

In Islam itself, humans are required to try and work. This is nothing but to fulfill the happiness he needs. But, we must remember that when trying and working. There are some people who do not know what will happen in the midst of these activities.

What humans do is their own efforts to do His commands, and the results of what they do are the same and some are different from what he first dreamed of. This is where Muslims must have a firm grip, so that under any circumstances, they can still hold fast to what has been in their faith.

From here also Muslims must know about what is called qanaah (willing to accept). Hopefully with this short study we all (especially Muslims) can understand and respect each other between one community and another. Because we know together that in our country Indonesia, consists of various ethnic groups, religions, social status, and others.

Meaning of Qanaah: Willing to Accept and Keep Trying

The meaning of qanaah is nothing but a commendable behavior to be willing to accept everything that has been owned by someone. And feel enough with what everything he has. From the meaning of this qanaah can also keep someone from being greedy, always lacking, and greedy.

However, do not mean the qanaah is directly described as a lazy figure, do not want to try and work, and only live with everything that exists. If anyone has an opinion like that, then why should we work, if there is already a sense of being fulfilled.

Indeed in the Koran it is explained that there is not a single living creature ( daabbah ) that lives in this world unless his fortune is guaranteed by Allah SWT. As stated in the QS. Hud (11) verse six follows:

وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا …… (11)

Meaning:

“And there is not a creeping thing on the earth, but Allah is the one who gives his fortune”

But as religious people, at least we must know that all human beings will always try their utmost to achieve a successful life. People who know about the meaning of qanaah, of course they will feel at ease. Because with that they can control the despicable qualities that exist in him. Like greedy, fierce, and spiteful.

A small example of this is when someone in his business cannot enjoy the results of his business. For people who do not know the meaning of qanaah, you can say that people will despair. But for people who know the meaning of qanaah, they must treat it patiently plus find a way out of the problems they face.

Qanaah Hadiths

In the traditions of the Prophet also explained about the meaning of this qanaah. Are as follows:

  1. Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah radhiyallaahu ‘anhu:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لَيْسَ الغِنَى عَن كَثْن كَثْن كَن

Meaning:

From Abu Hurairah, from the Prophet SAW said: “It’s not wealth because of the wealth of wealth but the real wealth is the wealth of the soul” (HR. Muttafaqun ‘alaihi)

  1. Hadith narrated by Jabir radhiyallaahu ‘anhu:

عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْقنَفٌَََََََََََََََََََََََْ

Meaning:

From Jabir radhiyallaahu ‘anhu said: Rasulullah SAW said: “Stay all of you with the attitude of qanaah, because in fact qanaah is a treasure that never runs out (HR. At -Th read in Mu’jam al-Awsaath )

  1. Hadith narrated by ‘Abdullah bin’ Amr bin ‘Ash Radhiyallaahu’ anhu:

عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص, أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم, قال: «قد أفلح من أسلم, ورزق كفافا, وقنعه الله بما آتاه»

Meaning:

From Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin’ Ash Radhiyallaahu ‘anhu , the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “It is truly fortunate that someone enters Islam, and is given endless sustenance, and that person feels contented with what Allah has given him” (HR. Muslim)

From some of the above traditions we can know together that the name Qanaah can not be separated from the five cases, below:

  1. Accept everything that exists voluntarily in both physical and mental form
  2. Practicing the patience and faith that exists in each of us
  3. Keep praying, asking Allah SWT. and always endeavor to produce the best.
  4. Guard oneself from being deceived in the world
  5. Always put your trust in Allah SWT.

The Function of Qanaah for Mankind

From the explanation and the arguments regarding the qanaah above. Of course there are functions too. Then what is the function of qanaah ?? Qanaah functions include:

  1. A person’s soul will feel a sense of security, comfort and peace
  2. Always tolerant and not easy to give up when you’re in an undesirable condition.
  3. Always feel adequate and optimistic that Allah SWT will guarantee the fortune of His creatures if you want to try and endeavor
  4. Feel the spirit and high spirit when doing business or work
  5. As a control for all people so that it is not easy to fall into greed when getting a sustenance that is constantly coming.