The Sixth Virtue in the Monotheistic Doctrine

The Sixth Virtue in the Monotheistic Doctrine is Contentment with the Will of God, may His Majesty be glorified

Various events occur in a person's life; it would naturally be preferred if they were all happy, joyful events, such as the birth of a son or daughter, the marriage of a loved one, or success in an important exam. But, of course, there are tragedies and difficult, dangerous events such as the death of a relative, sustaining injuries, illness, the outbreak of a war, or a natural disaster. So, how can people—and how should they—face the events that occur in their lives? In this regard, the monotheistic doctrine offers a clear and decisive answer, beyond any doubt, which states that just as a person rejoices and praises their Lord for happy, joyful events, they must also accept difficult, harsh, and painful events with humility, submission, and compliance with the Creator's decree and will. This approach and manner of dealing with events is called contentment (Al-Rida), meaning acceptance of the actions, decree, and will of the Creator, may His Majesty be glorified.

Trusting in God's decree and accepting it with patience and contentment

The meaning of this religious approach is that a person who believes in God Almighty relies on Him, trusts in Him, and knows for certain that His actions, decree, commands, and prohibitions are all based on truth, justice, deep wisdom, and goodness. Therefore, a person must accept God's harsh and difficult decree without protest, complaint, grumbling, or hesitation. Even when a person thinks or imagines that their fate has brought them adversity and misfortune, even in this case, it is forbidden for them to question the Creator's actions or His justice, may His Majesty be glorified. Conversely, a Druze monotheist must also remember that the blessings and gifts God, may His Majesty be glorified, grants them—such as great, dazzling success and immense wealth—have come as a grace from God Almighty. Therefore, they are not permitted to be arrogant, boastful, or pretentious, nor to squander these divine gifts as a burden. On the contrary, they must find the ideal and correct way to utilize these gifts and bounties that God, may His Majesty be glorified, has bestowed upon them out of His favor.

Contentment is an important religious virtue based on absolute faith in God, may His Majesty be glorified, and on the recognition and acknowledgement of His infinite wisdom. According to the monotheistic doctrine, the believing monotheist must remember that they are limited and restricted in relation to God, may His Majesty be glorified, because they are made of flesh and blood, their fate is death and extinction, and they cannot understand God's wisdom, perceive the meaning behind His actions, or grasp His purposes and goals. Therefore, in moments of success and times of adversity alike, one should accept God's decree with contentment and submission, just as one must praise and thank Him for His happy, joyful decree. A person capable of being content with all of God's decrees—the painful and sad ones, as well as the joyful and happy ones—is a person whose heart is filled with faith, and who knows full well that God Almighty is good to His creation, and that He is Just and All-Knowing. In order to reach a state of total, absolute contentment, the believing monotheist must train their soul and mind, and prepare through continuous spiritual activity that leads them to a degree of absolute, total faith in God, may His Majesty be glorified, and in His power and might. It also develops their ability to accept God's decree, may His name be sanctified, whether it be good or evil, just as it cultivates the duty of praising the Creator, may He be exalted, in both times of ease and adversity.

The balance between human emotions and accepting God's decree in the monotheistic doctrine

Nevertheless, the monotheistic doctrine recognizes the emotions and feelings that accompany the various events that occur in a person's life, whether they are joyful or painful. The great religious scholar known to the Druze monotheists, Al-Amir Al-Sayyid (may his secret be sanctified), believed that it is permissible for a person to rejoice if a happy, pleasant event occurs to them, and to feel sad and pained if a tragedy befalls them or if something unpleasant happens to them. According to his words, human emotion is a natural matter, provided it is not at the expense of accepting God's decree, may His Majesty be glorified, and that it does not encourage the person to reject this decree or object to it.

Cited from the Monotheistic Heritage