Download PDF: [S] Love of this World (Islamic story)

There was once a great sinner among the Bani Isra’eel. As he continued to increase in his sin and transgression, it seemed like his wealth and property also increased. However, one day, when he heard about the terrible punishment which awaited a sinner, he approached Nabi Moosa Alayhis Salaam and asked, “O Moosa! What does my Lord need? In fact, the more I increase in sin and transgression, the more He seems to give me in blessing.”

 

Nabi Moosa Alayhis Salaam was very surprised by this. He approached the mountain of Thur and  inquired from Allah azza wajal about this, “O Allah! You are fully aware of what this sinful person has said and that whenever he commits more sin and transgression, You are even more kind to him by increasing his wealth and property.”

 

The Almighty Allah azza wajal replied, “O Moosa! I am punishing him, but he is unaware of it.” Nabi Moosa Alayhis Salaam then asked, “O Allah! What type of punishment are You giving him because You are increasing his sustenance and You are also sparing him?”

 

Allah azza wajal replied, “I have distanced him from My Divine Court and have taken away My Mercy and Kindness from him. I have made him oblivious of my Remembrance. He has robbed himself of presenting his words of appeal in My Court and he has also robbed himself of listening to My Divine Warning. By My Divine Being, he will certainly taste My Divine Punishment and he will rob himself of My Divine Mercy.”

 

O Muslims! Look at the person who continues to commit sin and transgression! Look at the break the Allah azza wajal gives a person and learn a lesson from this! Look at how the Almighty Allah azza wajal does not immediately punish a person but gives him time. But, instead of learning a lesson a person begins to enjoy this act of keep going against the Divine Command of Allah azza wajal. However, this same enjoyment will ultimately result in immense regret and sadness. The Allah azza wajal declares in the following verses a dire warning indeed.

 

In Surah Al Mu’minun, verse 55-56:

“Are they are imagining that by the wealth and children with which (that), We are helping them.

We hasten to give them good? Nay, but they are not aware.”

 

In these verses, Allah azza wajal has revealed the truth about their abundance of wealth and children.

 

In Surah Yunus, verse 24, Allah azza wajal further declares:

“The example of the life of the world is like that water which, We have sent down from the sky, on account of which the vegetation of earth came out in abundance of which men and cattle eat, till, when the earth took on its ornament and was fully adorned, and its owners thought that it is under their authority; there came upon it Our command by night or by day, then We made it mown down as if it had not existed yesterday. Thus, We explain fully Our signs for a people who reflect.”

 

Hadrat Sadrul Afaadil, Moulana Naeemudeen Muradabi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu, in the “Khazaa’inul Irfaan” explains: “This is the example of those who love the world and have no concern for the Hereafter. In this, the hunger for the world and its riches have been explained as gardens and crops and when a person spends his entire life acquiring it and becomes satisfied that now he has earned everything, suddenly death approaches him without any warning. All this glory and status is then taken away from him. All these pleasures and enjoyment becomes non-existent. Hadrat Sayyiduna Qatadah Radi Allahu ‘Anhu explains that, ‘when greed for the world makes a person oblivious of everything and he forgets everything, it is at that time the Divine Punishment comes to him and all the wealth, the riches, the comforts which he had so much of hope in is destroyed. He is no longer able to take comfort in these things.’”

 

In Surah Naba, verse 40, the Qur’an declares:

 

“We warn you of a torment which is near at hand; a day when man will see

whatsoever his hands have sent on before.”

 

What disgrace will await man on that day when they have, through their own forgotten their way to Allah azza wajal and Allah azza wajal through the bad deeds of these people have made them oblivious of their ultimate damnation. But, they forget to remember that Allah azza wajal is fully aware of everything.

 

O Muslims! We urge you to remember the severe punishment of disobeying the Commands of Allah azza wajal. Think and ponder carefully about it! How quickly will the enjoyment of this world disappear and there will only remain torment and disgrace. Save yourself from being made oblivious and forgetful of obeying Allah azza wajal. This is the ultimate disgrace. How lucky are those people who strive to keep their record of deeds clean as possible and have fashioned themselves both internally and externally to obey the Divine Command of Allah azza wajal. (Ar Roudul Faa’iq).