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We have before us two ways of thinking. One way to think is
that, in order to live in this world, we become so influenced by our
surroundings that we imprison ourselves within mountains of resources. And that
we care for nothing but luxury and comfort and consider it the purpose of our
lives.
The other way of thinking is that we not only live a life of
moderation, but also take account of our lives and assess what have gained and
what we have lost.
We accumulate wealth in pursuit of the enticing prospect of
gaining worldly honour and respect. We advertise this wealth building
magnificent mansions. We keep such articles of beauty and display in our homes
as would be a proof of our own worth and significance.
As acquiring honour and respect by amassing wealth is concerned,
it is only self-deception—a self-deception which an deny. Castles of the
Pharaohs of Egypt and treasures of Qaaron tell us that wealth is faithful to
none. History repeats itself and in every age it reveals to us the reality of
wealth. We are all aware of the life stories of majestic emperors. Even their
grandeur and glory and all their royal majesty, it has happened [at times] that
fate did not grant them even small piece of land for graves in their native
lands.
How faithless have proven the mountains of gold, silver and
jewels for the wealthiest of men in the world! Does reality not warn us with
its sobering lessons!
The earth recognizes only itself, and it keeps its each and
every part connected to its womb. If earth is considered an individual then everything
made of the earth becomes a part of its body. Gold and silver, iron and copper,
and precious jewel are all such limbs and parts of the earth—parts on which it
established its identity. Man's body is also composed of the earth, but because
man has been entrusted to carry within him. Allah's trust, the conscious of the
earth considers him, apart from all the other body parts, its heart. When the
heart within a body is affected, the body is eventually rendered paralyzed and
useless. A paralyzed and useless body is nothing but it burden upon the earth.
Everyone knows that even if a person builds a mansion with fifty
rooms, he is still only able to sleep on one bed. In his greed for wealth he
may add to his piles of gold and silver (particles of earth) as much as he
wants, yet he still only requires three square meals a day to fill his belly.
No matter how illumined and fragrant man makes his surrounding with artificial
lights and perfumes, they cannot replace that which rots within him.
It is earth's nature to want to see its children clean; and it
keep them clean. When its children refuse to leave filth and decay it leaves
them alone. This misfortune turns man into something, that is repulsive and
cancerous. Indeed, there isn't a punishment worse than this for any man. The
Holy Quran says:
"And those who collect gold
and silver and do not
spend it in the way of Allah are
given the tiding of
a painful punishment."
KHWAJA SHAMS-UD-DEEN AZEEMI
Science has made immense progress, yet many believe that, even with all of the modern tools at our disposal, human beings function at no more than 10% of their mental capacity. This leads to the question of what exactly it is that comprises the remaining 90%. Yet another question that arises is this: If it has taken man four and a half billion years to be able to apply only 10% of his ability, how long will it take for him to make use of the remaining 90%?
