Materialism

Materialism:

A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.

The belief that having money and possessions is the most important thing in life.

My beloved readers, Above are a couple of definitions for the world ‘Materialism’. Reading this, we should realise the root of most of our problems. Sometimes, we don’t realise that one day we are no longer going to exist. We are no longer going to own the possessions we work so hard for. This is a reality and we must prepare for the inevitable - death.

We are so invested into our lives and the world around us that we sometimes forget our purpose which Allah has solely created us for. 

56. I did not create the Jinns and the human beings except for the purpose that they should worship me. (Qur'an 51:56)

This is all part of the test from Allah. Will we obey his commands, or will we choose to neglect it?

We are hooked to our iPads and our smartphones. We want the biggest houses, the best cars, the most money. The world is extremely attractive to our eyes and our souls. This is the way it was created by Allah S.W.T, testing every person in a different way. 

We spend our time feeding our bodies and souls with the pleasures of this world when we should be preparing them for the pleasures of the hereafter. We need to look after our souls as much as we look after our bodies. Increasing in Quran recitation is a simple way to start.

People say, 'Love is blinding'. Well, our love for this world and its materials is blinding us from the purpose of our lives. 

Our eventual aim should be to distance ourselves from our worldly possessions and to spend more time reading Qur’an and praying Salah. We should look at the Prophet S.A.W and his companions as inspiration because they are a great example of how we should live our lives, earning the pleasure of Allah. 

The point being made here is not to give up everything we own in this world but to reorganise our priorities.

8. Surely for those who believe and do righteous deeds, there are gardens of bliss. (Qur'an, 31:8)

May Allah S.W.T help us decrease our love for this world and help us prepare effectively for the hereafter. May Allah S.W.T reward us for our efforts and include us amongst the people of Jannah.

Ameen