Page 28 - Faith: The Way to Happiness
P. 28

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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