Ain Al-Hayat, The Essence of Life.pdf - Higher Intellect | Content ...

ask people to follow them. Therefore the world that has been censured by the Shariah
must be critically studied to ascertain what is good and what is evil.
The meaning attached by people to the world is erroneous. Shunning the world doesn’t
mean totally abandoning it and considering it as a sworn enemy. In fact craving for death
and praying for death is tantamount to refusing the bounties of Allah. Craving for the
transient worldly goods is contemptible. Such people become totally oblivious of the fact
of death and keep themselves busy running after worldly benefits and laurels. They think
that they have a long life ahead of them and there is still time to crave Allah’s indulgence
for the wrongful acts committed by them. They spend their lives acquiring worldly riches
and grandeur and commit all the evil acts thinking that they are beneficial for them.
Otherwise, the world and the life in the world provide people the opportunity to excel in
knowledge and piety. If the world were not there, how the pious people would perform
their duty of offering prayers to their Creator!
Imam Zain al Abedeeen (a.s.) says in one of his supplications, “ O Allah! Give me more
years of life that I spend it in your obedience and prayer! And if this period is to be spent
by me in evil (Satanic) deeds, then hasten my death that I don’t become liable to Your
Retribution!”
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) says, “ O Men! Why don’t you take lesson from your forbears? Consider
their deaths to visualize your own demise! This world is a very becoming place for those
who take a lesson. This is the place of safety for the wise. How can one hold the world
with contempt when it is a kind Warner! It keeps telling man that it is not a place for one
to live forever! The day of final journey is nigh! If not today, tomorrow one has to depart
from here! One who was rich yesterday, is poor today! He who was healthy then, is weak
and sickly now! One who was alive yesterday, is dead and gone today. The world is thus
trying to awaken the forgetful man from his sleep!
Similarly all the riches of the world are not contemptible. The contemptible wealth is that
which makes one forget Allah and use it for selfish and ignoble purposes. The wealth that
is equitably used for personal comforts and also in the way of Allah for the betterment
and uplift of one’s fellow beings will make one deserving of the benefits of the Hereafter.
This type of acquisition and use of wealth is venerable.”
The Prophet of Islam (a.s.) has said, “Affluence is venerable if it is made the source of
achieving piety and righteousness.”
Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s.) was asked by a person,” O son of the Prophet (a.s.)! I have love
for the world and its riches! I also wish that people in this world look towards me with
respect! “ The Imam (a.s.) asked , “ Why do you have such a wish?” The man replied, “ I
have these desires because I want to benefit myself, to benefit my kith and kin, relatives
and other needy persons. I have also a strong desire to perform my duty of the Haj.” The
Imam (a.s.) said, “ This is not craving for the world! This is your step toward acquiring
the benefits of the Hereafter!”