Page 76 - Those Who Exhaust All Their Pleasures In This Life

74 THOSE WHO EXHAUST ALL THEIR PLEASURES IN THIS LIFE

and avaricious. They are in constant distress because they
act against their conscience. And the fact that those peo-
ple around them display this same moral character makes
them always sad and frustrated. Of course, those who
intend to live good lives and make the best use of this
world’s bounty are greatly disappointed by such benight-
ed lives. But never forget, these individuals have chosen
these lives of darkness by their own free will. While it is
possible for them to believe in Allah and to enjoy both
worlds’ abundant pleasures, they are content with this
world’s few transient material pleasures. While they can
live a good moral life by choosing to follow their con-
science instead of their egotistical desires, they choose the
latter. In their desire for a chaotic environment, they know-
ingly destroy the pleasures they could have had. Allah
informs us what awaits such people in the Hereafter:
As for those who do not expect to meet Us, and [who]
are content with this world’s life and at rest in it, and
those who are heedless of Our signs, their shelter will
be the Fire because of what they earned. (Surah
Yunus: 7-8)

They cannot know the rewards that flow from
compassion and mercy

Compassion and mercy are important components of a
good moral character. Those with such a character show
these qualities, which give them a deep sense of pleasure
and enable them to win the love, respect, and admiration
of those around them. Mercy brings a person many more