A Muslim`s Attitude Towards Worldly Life
In this day and age, nearly everyone is in the race to gain maximum and surpass others in materialistic possessions. The present society has evolved so drastically around money-oriented expansions that its values and norms of morality have also tarnished. People have almost ceased to differentiate between the right and wrong and think of living this life to the fullest in every respect. Allah SWT says about this nature of human in the Holy Quran in the following words:
And to whom I granted extensive wealth. And children present [with him]. And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. Then he desires that I should add more. [Quran, 74: 12-15]
The above mentioned Ayats show that man has always been greedy by nature, and has wished for more than it should own. No wonder why the world is constantly moving in the direction of increased acquisitiveness. The Religion of Peace greatly emphasizes on the importance of adopting moderation in every matter of life. The Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ also indicates that a Muslim should restrain from indulging in avaricious affairs so that it does not become selfish and forget about its actual purpose of existence in this world, i.e. to please the Almighty Allah.
Now let us discuss some of the ways in which a Muslim should live its life according to the Islamic teachings:
Living like a Stranger on Earth
A foreign person knows that it does not have to stay permanently in the distant place it is visiting. It lives like a guest and misses its own country or region. Same way, all humans are sent by the Creator of the Universe in this world as immigrants who have to travel back to their actual destination, i.e. hereafter. A true Muslim believes in this fact and knows about the momentary nature of worldly life.
Abdullah bin `Umar (R.A) once narrated:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of my shoulders and said, “Be in this life as a stranger or a passerby. When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness and from your life for your death.” (Al-Bukhari)
The above stated Hadith gives basic guideline for every Muslim about how it should live on the surface of the earth. Acting like a passerby means that one should its existence as brief. And once a Muslim has that mentality, it helps in abstaining from all kinds of possessions and immorality.
Having a Moderate Life
Islam does not say that one should live simple life to the extent that it goes back to Stone Age, rather it only stresses on having a modest life so that the greed and lust of getting more and more may not make one to forget about its real life, i.e. hereafter.
“But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” [Quran, 28: 77]
It means that a true believer should pray to the Gracious God for giving what is enough in this world, and not beyond that. Just like a man cannot eat or drink beyond its limit, same applies for one`s life. A Muslim should be reasonable and just in every matter of life, like in one`s dressing, behavior, keeping and building nice relationships with family members and relatives, and in overall society etc. When one has understood the basic theme behind adopting self-control in life, it would eventually lead to the rightful fulfillment of both of its religious and secular duties and responsibilities.
Reading the Holy Quran
The Sacred Scripture of Furqan e Hameed repeatedly reminds one to prepare for the undying life of the hereafter. When you understand and read the Holy Quran, you will come to know about the ideal way of life of a Muslim as it teaches us to avoid what has been forbidden by the Almighty and act upon what has been ordered to do. Allah SWT says in the His Sacred Book:
“And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter – that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.” [Quran, 29: 64]
It means that real life is awaiting us all, i.e. the existence that begins once we leave the earth and that life is also perpetual in nature, which means that we will all have to live in it forever. So, a Muslim should take inspiration from this Sanctified Manuscript and carry out its entire spiritual duties like performing Salah, fasting, carrying out Zakah (charity), performing Hajj, and other social obligations according to its guidelines, which would result in leading an equitable life consistent with the Islamic instructions.
Bearing hardships and thanking Allah
This world is meant to be the place of assessment and testing for a Muslim. The moments of misery and adversity are just a cause of seeing whether one remains patient during this strict instance, and stays steadfast on its faith. The pleasures of this world are also a means of glancing whether someone is grateful to the Almighty during this time of happiness and remembers His Name or not. The Messenger ﷺ of Allah is narrated by Anas ibn Malik (R.A) to have said:
“The most privileged people in the world from the people of the Hellfire will come on the Day of Resurrection to be dipped in the Hellfire, and then it will be said: O son of Adam! Did you see any good? Did you get any blessing? He will say: No, by Allah, my Lord! Then the most miserable people in the world from the people of Paradise will come on the Day of Resurrection to be dipped in the Paradise, and then it will be said: O son of Adam! Did you see any hardship? Did you have any distress? He will say: No, by Allah, my Lord! I did not once see hardship or distress.” (Muslim)
This saying of Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ shows that all the pains one has to go through for the sake of God in this life will be the reason of one`s forgiveness and getting His Greatest Bounties of Jannah (Paradise), while all the delights enjoyed in this world without thanking the Lord will definitely result in entering the Hellfire.
In short, a true Muslim should consider the worldly life as short-term, and act in within the Islamic philosophy of existence, which will bring about the ultimate success in the hereafter.
