Page 28 - Faith: The Way to Happiness
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FAITH: THE WAY TO HAPPINESS
means, this can radically change his psychology and in connection
with this his behavior towards others and his ideas about them. The
first thing that changes in such people is that they push themselves
f o r w a rd at every opportunity and try to make others around them
praise them because they think that due to the wealth they have ac-
quired, they possess a quality which most others do not have. They
make the blessings which Allah has given them a matter of superi-
ority and distinction when they compare themselves with other
people. Beneath this misguided behavior lies the drive of the self to
bring about its own desires.
A person who does not use what he owns to earn the approval
of Allah uses it solely to satisfy his own lower self. The lower self
wants to be admired and praised all the time. People who do not
have the aim of pleasing Allah seek only the approval of others and
because of this they boast and take pride in everything they acquire
or own. People such as this who do not consider the Hereafter have
no other course but to use what they have as best they can in the life
of this world.
Boasting does not solely arise from the material wealth people
possess. A person may make his appearance, his hair, his physique,
his success, in short anything which makes him diff e rent to those
around him and better off, a matter for boasting. For instance, when
her child earns the right to enter a much sought after faculty of a top
class university, this becomes a subject for bragging by the mother.
She refers to this subject in every conversation and speaks with
praise of the difficulties her child suffered and the great support she
herself provided. She tries to make use of her child's success and
grab a share of it for herself. Of course, she may have supported the
child and provided help, but her reason for telling other people
about it is usually to earn praise and admiration for herself. She de-
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