Ethics of Islam

factories are based on experiments and intellectual activity.
Therefore, by the passage of time new information proves that the
old information was wrong. Old or new, wrong or right all
scientific knowledge points out that the universe was created out
of nothing and that it is a necessity to believe in a Creator who has
infinite knowledge and power.” Anyone who reads the beautiful
moral character and miracles of Muhammad ‘alaihis-salâm’
understands that he is the Prophet.]
2– IGNORANCE
The second malady of the heart is ignorance. Various types of
ignorance and their harms are already explained in the first
section.
3– GREED FOR WEALTH, POWER, RANKS,
OR POSITIONS
The third malady of the heart is greed for wealth, property, or
a leading position in society. The following hadîth-i-sherîf
enlightens us about this illness, which is called “Hubburriyâsat”,
its identification, and its cure:
1– “The harm done to a person’s spiritual state by greed of
property or power is much greater than the harm done by two
hungry wolves when they attack a lamb flock.”
2– “A person’s being singled out on account of his worldly or
religious eminence would suffice him as a harm.” In other words,
attaining such a position of distinction in worldly or religious
affairs may be very harmful for a man with respect to his worldly
and other-worldly affairs.
3– “Fondness for being praised makes a person blind and deaf.
He no longer sees his own faults and deficiencies. He is deaf to
friendly criticisms and will not listen to any advice.”
The three reasons why one wants to acquire property or a
leading position or ranks in social life are the following: The first
reason: One wants to satisfy desires of one’s nafs. The nafs
wishes its desires to be satisfied by forbidden (harâm) means.
The second reason: One wants to protect oneself and others
from tyranny of the oppressors. One wants to perform
permissible (mustahab) deeds, e.g. charity or doing goodness.
One wants to perform permissible (mubâh) things, e.g. desiring
to purhase good food and attirements. One wants to have a
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