Page 90 - Those Who Exhaust All Their Pleasures In This Life

88 THOSE WHO EXHAUST ALL THEIR PLEASURES IN THIS LIFE

them to forget the importance of these fine qualities. Some
unbelievers consider this degeneration as a kind of mod-
ernism and, instead of practicing these virtues, focus on
those worldly qualities that will give them prestige in each
other’s eyes. They place no importance on dignity and
honesty, for it is more important where they live, what kind
of car they drive, if they follow the latest clothing fashions,
or have the latest albums. When it comes to choosing
friends, the last thing they look at is the person’s moral
character, dignity, and honor.
Some people who ignore the Qur’an’s morality do not
want their friends to value honesty or to act with dignity
and honor. For this reason, they prefer friends who are like
themselves. Of course, such people cannot respect each
other; rather, they behave toward each other in unseemly
and peevish ways that reveal their moral degeneration.
This is just one of the recurring frustrations that their
unseemly morality brings upon them.
The unbelievers have also lost all honor. They do not
respond maturely when confronted with ignorant attitudes,
or do not hesitate to lie, be hypocritical, behave in unseem-
ly ways, or commit fraud for small gains. They think they
can attain honor by possessing more money, property and
power, by being arrogant, being condescending toward
others, and using their wealth to seem superior. So, having
lost their honesty, dignity, and honor, they live in a world
dominated by material values. Just what kind of life does
such a world provide for them?
Above all, contrary to their assumptions, moral degen-