Look at Those With Less in Worldly Matters

The Prophet ﷺ instructed believers, in worldly matters, to look at those who have less rather than constantly comparing themselves with those who have more.

The hadith and its source

Reference: Sahih Muslim 2963.

Authenticity: Sahih.

What this hadith means

This narration should be read as guidance for personal reform, not as a slogan detached from context. Its wording directs the believer towards a concrete quality of faith and gives us a standard against which to examine our own behaviour.

Hadith explanation is strongest when the narration is kept together with its source, the wider teachings of Islam and the practical circumstances in which a person is applying it. Muslims Life therefore avoids turning a single line into an absolute claim that goes beyond what the hadith establishes.

Key lessons

• Comparison can quietly destroy gratitude.
• Perspective helps us recognise blessings we overlook.
• The hadith concerns worldly comparison, not competing in good deeds.

How to apply it today

Choose one lesson from this hadith and turn it into a specific action this week. The aim is not only to collect reminders, but to let authentic guidance shape speech, priorities, relationships and worship.

Source note

The reference above identifies the primary collection used for this page. Where a narration has more than one route or wording, wording can vary between translations. Readers studying a legal ruling or a matter involving personal circumstances should consult a suitably qualified scholar.