Page 84 - Satan's Sly Game: The False Religion of People-Worship

SATAN'S SLY GAME:
THE FALSE RELIGION OF PEOPLE-WORSHIP

Keeping up Appearances
Fierce competition for this world distracted you. (Surat
at-Takathur, 1)
In a society of ignorance, people emphasize the value given
to possessions, power, money and property. As mentioned in
the previous section, they feel constrained to present themselves
as much richer and more powerful than they actually are. As a
result, society develops a kind of person who overstates in
everything. For instance, a person who does everything to win
the favor of others so that people will say he "has the best of
everything" cannot lead a normal life. The clothes he buys, the
way he decorates his house and his life style are all dedicated to
keeping up appearances. When he is with others, he will make
an extravagant show of his wealth so that people will want to be
in his place. In conversations, he makes it a point to make people
notice him. His aim is to get people to talk about his wealth and
gossip about the fine things he possesses. To this end, he will in-
sist on mentioning the extent and value of his wealth and say
that he chooses his clothes from among the best designer labels;
creating the impression that he frequents the best places.
People worshippers' passion for ostentation leads them into
great error as they live their lives in this world. In the Qur'an,
Allah reveals that ostentation distracts people and puts them in
a stupor in which they cannot see reality:
Know that the life of this world is merely a game and a
diversion and ostentation and a cause of boasting
among yourselves and trying to outdo one another in
wealth and children: Like the plant-growth after rain
which delights the cultivators, but then it withers and
you see it turning yellow, and then it becomes broken

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