Page 74 - Those Who Exhaust All Their Pleasures In This Life

72 THOSE WHO EXHAUST ALL THEIR PLEASURES IN THIS LIFE

this apparent moral behavior by the profit he expects to
gain. This distorted way of thinking is very harmful. No
matter how much such people seem to belittle worldly gain
and renounce any selfish, intolerant and unjust behavior;
their unseemly moral behavior does great damage to their
spirits. Every time they do something against their con-
science, they become more confused and empty within,
and more spiritually lost. Every day they have opportunities
to act in a positive way, but they always misuse these
opportunities. Their consciences become desensitized.
Nothing moves them, and they can commit the worst
actions without the slightest pang of conscience.
They want to live a good life in a beautiful world without
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working for it: “Humanity never tires of praying for the
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g good” (Surah Fussilat: 49). But without work, nothing good
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can be produced. When the question of working toward a
good moral character comes up, they say: “This is the way
I am” or “I can’t change at this age.” But this individual’s
personality is not a function of his age or the way he was
brought up. He simply wants to do as he likes without put-
ting forth any effort. A person can attain a good character
only when he works at it and persists in doing the right
things. But ignorant individuals see no reason to train their
egos or use their wills. They do not believe in the Hereafter
or that on the Day of Judgment, they will be called to
account as to whether they acted according to their con-
science. So they cannot see why they should subject
themselves such drudgery or why they should not behave
however they please. However, they are wrong and will