Ibn Daud - A Handbook of Spiritual Medicine

CHAPTER 17
Love of the World
[*ubb ad-Dunyā]
Any concept, ‘thing’ or person that provides benefit in the Hereafter
is worthy of attachment in this earthly life. Indeed, love of the
world is praised if it leads to spiritual elevation and healing of the
heart, or if attaining wealth and position are for the benefit of the
needy. Anything that is obtained from the necessities of living on
earth - food, housing, shelter, and the like - is beneficial and is not
considered “worldly” per se.
However, what scholars have traditionally warned against, with
regard to attaining wealth, is the danger of transgression. The more
wealth one acquires, the higher the probability one will become
preoccupied with other than Allāh .
‘£sā
is reported to have said ”Love of this world is the root of all
evil.” [Al-Bayhaqī in Shu’ab Al-Īmān 9974]
حُبُّ‏ الدُّنْيَا
LOVE OF THE WORLD
It is the action of clinging to the world’s ‘glittering distractions’,
paying excessive attention to the ‘things’ that benefit the lower
self, that ties somebody to blameworthy love of the world (#ubb
al-dunyā). The manifestation of this misdirected love includes
greediness and arrogance, as well as burdening (and depending on)
others with your needs. The compulsion is a desire for provision in
this world only, and the salvation in the next world is dismissed in
some measure. Attaining prohibited wealth and power for power’s
sake is normalised by the individual sufferer. Finally, it is worth
remarking that ‘love of wealth’ (#ubb al-māl) is undoubtedly a
branch of #ubb ad-dunyā.
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