Those who enjoy financial ease (be they at the top of the ladder or among the middle class) always wish to gain more; they aspire to become millionaires, even billionaires. Those who suffer in poverty dream of a comfortable home and sufficient means to meet the needs of their household and close family with dignity. Even those in the middle class long for a better life, especially to ensure a stable future for their families; so they aim not only for the immediate comfort of their household, but also make provision for their future.
This desire to improve and progress is not, in
itself, blameworthy. Not at all! Allah created us with the capacity to hope and
to build our paths – our future. However, the danger lies in when this desire
becomes blind, where a person develops a compulsive ambition for material
things, becomes willing to make every sacrifice needed to elevate their social
and financial status, and even accepts losing their spirituality – disconnecting
from their Creator – just to attain such material wealth. When they become
blind in this way, they forget their spiritual role and lose awareness and the
ability to understand that the life to come (after death) is better than this
worldly life. This is precisely what the Qur’an warns us about, where Allah
says:
“The craving to increase your
wealth distracts you, until you visit your graves...” (At-Takathur
102: 2-3)
These verses describe with precision the human
reality: when people engage in a mad race to constantly accumulate material
wealth, they forget that death is an inevitable stage. And once they enter
their graves, neither wealth, nor titles, nor even their families will follow
them or benefit them – except for parents who have righteous children who pray
for them and give charity in their names, or parents who themselves pray and
spend in Allah’s path on behalf of their children, so that in the Hereafter,
they may reap those rewards. But most of the time, people forget Allah. They
forget that they have an account to give (to Allah) ahead, and they let life on
earth dazzle them so much that they forget Allah and their duties towards Him.
So, when Allah draws the attention of people to
their wrongful ways – abandoning spirituality and chasing after worldly
possessions while forgetting death – Allah does so with the intention that they
awaken to their mistakes, and reconsider the true priorities of life. One
should never allow the material world to cause them to neglect their spiritual
responsibilities, and above all, they must not forget that there is a life
after death for which they also need to prepare. That will be an eternal life,
as long as Allah chooses to maintain its existence – where one’s soul (Ruh)
remains in a state of being, acknowledges its Lord, and must forever worship
Him alone.
However, when Allah says this, it does not mean
that people must reject the blessings of this world entirely. Bear in mind that
Allah has Himself taught us the following Duah (supplication): “Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hasanataw-wa fil-Aakhirati
hasanataw-wa qiina Azaban-Naar” (Our Lord, grant us goodness in
this world, and goodness in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment
of the Fire.) The message here is that people ought to live their lives in
gratitude towards Allah, and live in moderation – without extravagance or
waste.
Our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh),
who was a perfect guide and a mercy to mankind, would regularly remind his
followers of the futility of becoming overly attached to temporary worldly things.
He (pbuh) explained this matter with great clarity, warning all of us (his
Ummah) against clinging to transient possessions. He also taught that true
wealth lies in the soul and in good deeds.
Abdullah Ibn Ash-Shakhir (ra) reported that he
heard Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) say: “The son of Adam constantly says: ‘My
wealth! My wealth!’ But of his wealth, only three things truly belong to him: what
he consumed, what he wore and made use of, and what he gave in charity. The
rest will be inherited by others (his heirs).” (Tirmidhi)
This Hadith centres our attention on the
fleeting nature of material wealth. No matter the amount we accumulate, it
cannot accompany us into the grave. Our only true possession is our deeds.
This concept is deepened in another Hadith
narrated by Anas Ibn Malik (ra) where Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Three
things follow a person when they die: their family, their wealth, and their
actions. Two return, and only one remains – their deeds.” (Bukhari)
In other words, what we do in our lives shapes
our eternity. That’s why it’s essential that when one seeks to improve their
social standing and attain material comforts, they must never do so at the cost
of their spirituality, integrity, or responsibilities toward others. One must
not neglect their spiritual obligations in favour of material gain. There must
be balance. One must not cross the limits.
In His mercy, Allah has bestowed countless
blessings upon His servants – so many that they cannot be numbered: health,
intelligence, food and drink, safety, family, and much more. Allah has shown
immense favour to humanity. Yet, many people neglect or squander these
blessings – either out of ignorance or through sheer indifference.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) warned us: “There
are two blessings that most people waste: health and free time.” (Bukhari)
Health is a daily treasure. It enables us to
worship Allah, to learn, to serve – whether in the cause of Allah, or in
service to humanity – and to make progress in both our spiritual and worldly
lives. And as for leisure time, it is a precious opportunity gifted by Allah to
reconnect with Him. Free time allows us to relax, play sports, read and enrich
our understanding – especially of spiritual knowledge. But it’s also a moment
to remember Allah through meditation (Zikr), support His cause through
religious (Deen) work, or any effort that strengthens our faith. Sadly,
many people do not know how to manage their time. They waste it – particularly
their free time – on frivolous and useless pursuits!
On one occasion, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) left
his home and saw Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra) sitting together.
When he (pbuh) asked why they had come out, they replied that hunger had driven
them to leave their homes. The Prophet (pbuh) admitted that he too had stepped
out due to intense hunger. So, the three of them went together to the home of
an Ansar companion, who welcomed them warmly and offered dates. He later
slaughtered an animal and prepared a meal for them.
After they had eaten, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)
said – especially addressing his two companions: “It was hunger that led you
out, and you did not return without having received these blessings. Be aware
that you will be questioned about them on the Day of Judgement.” (Muslim)
This story reminds us that every blessing – even
something as simple as a meal – deserves gratitude and responsible use.
Wastefulness, ingratitude, and negligence are behaviours that divert us from
our spiritual purpose and the rewards of the life to come.
Bear in mind that in the world we are living
in, a world of overconsumption, every Muslim is called to inner vigilance. One
may live comfortably, have a beautiful home and a good job, but he or she must
keep in mind that all these shall only truly benefit them when their heart
remains attached to Allah, not to material things.
The Holy Qur’an teaches: “Seek, through what Allah has given you, the Final Abode
(in the Hereafter), and do not forget your share of this world. And do good, as
Allah has done good to you.” (Al-Qasas
28:78)
This verse presents a balance between the
possessions of this worldly life and the riches of the Hereafter. A person
ought to seek both. They require a minimum of worldly goods in order to live,
but what will truly benefit them are the eternal blessings of the Hereafter.
One must know how to benefit from the favours of this worldly life, and must
never neglect their spiritual obligations. A believer must always strive to do
good, live a life founded upon justice, and most importantly, become a servant
of Allah who clearly distinguishes between what is temporary and what is
eternal.
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) summed up human greed in
the following words: “If the son of Adam were to possess a valley full of
gold, he would desire a second one. Only the earth will fill his mouth.”
(Bukhari, Muslim) – meaning, when he dies!
This insatiable nature – where man is never
satisfied and is always craving more – can only be restrained through gratitude
and contentment with what Allah has granted. One must display humility and
gratefulness, and give thanks to Allah. And above all, one must keep in mind
that true success is not measured by the number of zeroes in their bank
account, but rather in the number of prostrations, good deeds, and hearts they
touch through kindness and noble acts done to earn Allah’s pleasure.
Ultimately, it is neither social class, nor the
amount printed on a cheque, nor possessions left behind that determine our
eternal fate. What truly counts are our prayers, intentions, patience, honesty,
compassion, and how we use the resources we’ve been given – great or small – in
service of Allah’s cause and in doing good.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The most
intelligent person is the one who often thinks about death and prepares for
what comes after.” (Ibn Majah)
Whether we are rich or poor, or living modestly
in between, whether we hold great influence in this world or are unknown to
others – our true success will always depend on our relationship with Allah and
the purity of our hearts. May Allah grant us the wealth of inner contentment,
where we are at peace with ourselves, where He is with us to guide our
conscience in the right direction, where He gives us the strength to reflect on
our inner selves and support His cause, and to help humanity. May we do good
that pleases Him, and build our Hereafter with the strength of His support and
pleasure – through the good deeds that shall earn us His favour. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 27 June 2025~ 29 Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.