As my friend offered me a pack of marshmallows, inviting me to choose some, I decided to pick two. With a smile on my face, I savoured the sugary milky foam as I remember the Stanford marshmallow experiment, a renowned study in social psychology dating back to 1972. This experiment delves into the concept of delayed gratification, particularly in young children.

During the experiment, children aged 4 to 6 years were given a choice: they could either eat a treat (a marshmallow or something else) immediately, or they could wait patiently for 15-20 minutes to receive a second treat. The purpose was to observe their ability to delay gratification. Surprisingly, around one-third of the children were able to resist temptation, display self-control, and wait, while the rest chose the immediate reward.

If you were in their place, would you have gone for the immediate reward or held out for the double treat after waiting? It’s a tough decision, and perhaps it’s something we can relate to even as adults. But let’s not forget the lessons we can draw from this experiment and apply them to our own lives.

Allah beautifully reminds us in Surah Al Imran (3:14-15) how the love for worldly desires can captivate us, be it wealth, relationships, or material possessions. However, the true gratification lies in the eternal blessings that Allah has prepared for those who are mindful of Him in the Hereafter – gardens beneath which rivers flow, everlasting bliss, and the companionship of purified spouses.

As believers, we find ourselves surrounded by distractions and alluring immediate gains that can divert our attention from the everlasting rewards promised by Allah. Despite our faith in the ultimate gratification in the Hereafter, we often get drawn to temporary pleasures that do not last.

Let’s remind ourselves of the words from Surah Al-Nahl (16:96),

“Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is lasting. And We will surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.”

So, dear believers, consider this a marshmallow test for your faith. Will you choose to enjoy your wealth and possessions now, or will you patiently wait and multiply your blessings through acts of charity? Will you be tempted by the temporary allure of haram activities and consumption, or will you choose self-control and embrace the ultimate gratitude from Allah?

O Allah, do not deprive us of Your bounties, grant us steadfastness, and reward those who patiently wait!