Abū Dardā’ on true goodness not being an increase in wealth or children but…

قَالَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ: ليس الخير أن يكثر مالك وولدك، ولكن الخير أن يعظم حلمك، ويكثر علمك، وأن تباري الناس في عبادة الله عز وجل، فإن أحسنت حمدت الله تعالى، وإن أسأت استغفرت الله عز وجل

Abū Dardā’ (may Allāh be pleased with him) said:

“Goodness is not that your wealth and children increase, rather true goodness is that your forbearance (patience and wisdom) becomes great, your knowledge increases, and that you compete with people in the worship of Allāh – the Mighty and Majestic. If you do good, you praise Allāh – the Exalted; and if you fall short, you seek forgiveness from Allāh – the Mighty and Majestic.”

Translated by Muḥammad ‘Imrān (Jeddah/India)