Why are some people never content?

The feeling of discontent and an insatiable thirst for more is one of the complex and challenging traits found in some human beings, deeply rooted in our understanding of the world, the purpose of life, and our relationship with the Creator. The Holy Quran repeatedly addresses this aspect of human nature, clarifying its causes and offering solutions. From the Quranic perspective, the primary reason for a lack of contentment is an excessive attachment to worldly life and heedlessness of the Hereafter. Almighty Allah warns in numerous verses that the allurements of this world are deceptive and transient, and they should not divert humans from their ultimate purpose of creation. When an individual dedicates all their efforts to accumulating wealth, status, and fleeting worldly pleasures, they will never reach a point of satiation, because the nature of this world is such that the more you grasp at it, the thirstier you become. This feeling stems from the false belief that happiness lies in 'having more,' whereas true happiness is found in 'being more' and in spiritual and moral elevation. Another Quranic reason for discontent is weakness in faith and a lack of reliance on Allah (Tawakkul). When an individual does not have complete faith in Allah's provision and justice, they will constantly fear loss or scarcity, and this fear drives them to accumulate and hoard more. In contrast, the Quran invites believers to rely on Allah and trust in His role as the Provider. Whenever a person knows that their sustenance is from Allah and that what has been decreed for them will reach them, the anxiety about the future and the insatiable craving for more diminishes. This reliance paves the way for inner satisfaction and contentment. Furthermore, ingratitude and denial of blessings (Kufr al-Ni'mah) play a significant role in a lack of contentment. The Quran repeatedly reminds humans that countless blessings have been bestowed upon them by Allah. However, some people, instead of being grateful for what they have, constantly look at what they lack or what others possess. This unhealthy and envious comparison causes an individual to never feel satisfied, always seeing themselves as deprived, even if they are in the midst of abundance. Gratitude opens a window to seeing abundance and feeling inner richness, which leads to contentment. The Quran states: "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you" (14:7), and this increase can be both material and spiritual, including an increase in the feeling of satisfaction and tranquility. Moreover, the Quran refers to the impatient and greedy nature of humans (halū‘). In Surah Al-Ma'arij, humankind is described as being restless and impatient when afflicted by evil, and stingy when good befalls them. This inherent nature, if not disciplined through divine guidance and self-purification, can turn into an insatiable greed. The Quran defines the purpose of life as a test and trial. Wealth and poverty, like calamities, are tools for this test. One who does not understand this truth and assumes that the main goal is to accumulate wealth will never achieve contentment, because the tests of this world are endless, and there will always be something more to covet and desire. The Quranic solution for achieving contentment is, in essence, a change in perspective and priorities. The first step is to bring God back to the center of one's life and strengthen faith in the Hereafter. When a person knows that the true reward is in the Afterlife and that this world is merely a cultivation field for it, their view of material possessions changes. The second step is to practice gratitude and appreciation for existing blessings. The third step is Zuhd (detachment from worldly desires) – not in the sense of abandoning the world, but in not being emotionally attached to its transient offerings. Fourth, giving charity (Infaq) in the way of Allah helps one break free from the shackles of materialism and find peace in their heart. Finally, self-knowledge and understanding that true happiness lies in spiritual peace and connection with the Divine, not in the accumulation of possessions. A person who reaches this level of understanding feels self-sufficient even with little, and becomes immersed in the boundless ocean of contentment, knowing that true satisfaction is not in endless having, but in qualitative and meaningful being, bestowed by Allah's grace and generosity. This is where the 'Nafs al-Mutma'innah' (the soul at peace) manifests, and the individual is liberated from the endless cycle of greed and avarice, reaching the abode of true happiness and tranquility.