Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
If Allah Ta‘ala blesses a person with halaal livelihood without difficulty, then this is indeed a great favour and bounty of Allah Ta‘ala. However, at times, a person who acquires livelihood without difficulty falls into self-admiration, pride, attributing good towards himself, boasting, being negligent of what Allah Ta‘ala wants from him, looking down at the poor and taking undue advantage of the weak.
The remedy and solution for such a person is for him to reflect and ponder over the favour he is receiving from Allah Ta‘ala without difficulty. He should think within himself, “This blessing is solely the grace of Allah Ta‘ala upon me. If it were not for His divine favour upon me, then most surely, I would not have been in this position, as I am not deserving of this favour and there is no goodness within me that makes me worthy of this bounty.”
In fact, one should reflect over his shortcomings, weaknesses and sins and think, “On account of my sins, I am actually deserving of Allah Ta‘ala’s punishment. Even if I possess some qualification through which I feel that I am able to acquire a livelihood, then really, it is not my qualification which provides for me, as there are many other people who have qualifications like myself, yet they are struggling to earn a livelihood. Hence, I should realize that it is only out of the sheer grace and mercy of Allah Ta‘ala that I am being blessed with all that I enjoy. Thus, what right do I have to be proud and boastful over my condition?”
اگر روزی بدانش بر فزودے زناداں تنگ روزی ترنبودے
If sustenance was based on intelligence then all the ignorant would have been in poverty.
In essence, earning a livelihood is not based on one’s intelligence, education and skill. To believe that livelihood is based on one’s capability is in actual fact subscribing to the belief of Qaaroon. (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/363)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za