It is not un-common in the days we are living in that people are affected negatively by their community. I have noticed this from when I was younger, though the materialistic values have increased. Often children are more obsessed about what they own so they can brag to their friends, and be of those whom are admired. Is the fact that someone has something a reason to admire that person? It depends, if we are talking a pure heart, good conduct, righteous friends, good company, good values, than I won`t disagree at all. Unfortunately what people rather admire is the fancy house, new cars, new fancy clothing, numbers of followers or friends etc. When in fact these things doesn`t say anything about the person’s real treasure.
It Is Not illegal To Be Rich
People are competing in a race where there is no goal. The development of technology in the world is increasing so rapidly that even if you have a Ipad 5 today, in a few months 7 or 8 will be out in the shops. We can`t keep up with this race without losing what is really important; our values. What is important is not how big your house or car is, but rather your values as a person and how close you are to Allah. It`s not illegal to be rich, but with it comes a lot of responsibility. In fact, the people whom have the most money will be the people whom will be questioned about where they used it. Alhamdolillah, tabarakAllah, my point is not that we sell everything we own, to live a simple life. It is mear to point out that just because you are rich, doesn`t mean that you can`t have the right values. In other words, focus on what is important, your values, your character and conduct. Your life and your hereafter.
Compete In Cultivating Right Values
Instead of competing in number of kids and size of house and number of cars, compete in cultivate the right values in your children and family, so that no matter how much you are blessed you will always remember the sacrifices our previous predessors made for us to be where we are now. Not only that, but your family will appreciate the blessings more when they realize that it could have been given to others. When in fact they know the suffering of children around the globe. They would most probably like some children, join other friends and collect money for them, with what they can do. By selling lemonade and mum-made cakes, early in their life they will realize what is important. Everyone has a right to have a good life and food and water and home and security. Though because the worlds treasures are not equally divided between people, some have more than others. It doesn`t necessarily mean that they deserve what they get. They are being tested by Allah for what they are doing with what they have. At the same time it will keep our feet on the ground, when we realize that all of this is not given for our joy. The test of ease and the test of difficulty. Some people are tested by given a gift, others are tested by witholding a gift from them. Allah knows how much patience people without the basics in life, has to go through, of troubles that might be the reason why they will go to Paradise, years before the rich muslims. Abu Bakr Siddiq raa gave away everything he owned before he died. He didn`t even leave anything for his children, just to be amongst those people that will be entitled to go to Paradise first. SubhanAllah what a determination.
The Inside The Same As The Outside
In the time of Islam and the years after, people were more worried about the qualities in them that were not seen on the outside, their clothing and what they own. Nowadays people are more worried about if their clothing is matching their shoes or hijab, or for men if they have the right amount of beard, with the right new trendy clothing. Gotta look smart. If we put just as much effort in cleaning our souls, and our hearts, as we do in keeping ourself looking awesome, than maybe our inner and outer self would be the same. If we won`t do that than it might happen that our outer self looks better than our inner self. For people with the right values, their goal is that their inner self is better than the outer self or at least just as good. To keep their sincerity and intention correct they do as much they can in secrecy, to avoid show-off in their deeds. Whereas most of us are those who share the smallest achievement in regards of ibaadah, when in fact a simple evil-eye-affect can reverse it for us.
It Is A Worldwide Muslim Issue
I see people being consumed in things that aren`t good for their hereafter, and I feel so helpless because I don`t know what to do or how to help them. I`m no expert and not even close to what experts in this field could help us with. All I know is that mosques need to talk about so many topics in their gatherings with sisters and brothers and youth that needs to be dealt with asap. Or else we are in hands of our own destruction. This is a worldwide problem everywhere were there are muslims. May Allah preserve us and help us and guide us and give us a heart that accepts guidance. Aameen summae aameen.
Roshnii179 