Page 34 - Seeing Good in All

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SEEING GOOD IN ALL

Therefore, in these cases, the attainment of wealth becomes
the main goal in life.
This excessive desire for wealth also leads to a life-time of
fearing for its loss. Those who possess such an outlook

usually despair when they lose their wealth, and then
become rebellious towards their Lord. Being completely
ignorant that is merely for a trial, they become completely
overwhelmed by their loss of wealth.
However, God commands man "not to grieve about the
things that pass him by or exult about the things that come
to him" (Surat al-Hadid: 23). He commands man to conduct
himself moderately and to adopt good morals. Despairing
over the loss of wealth, but exulting in times of affluence, is a
mark of ingratitude towards God.
Under the influence of such a base outlook, the members
of ignorant societies consider it perfectly acceptable to feel
disappointment over the loss of their property. For instance,
the economic security enjoyed from wealth acquired after
much effort may vanish instantly through a natural disaster.
Or, a fire may, in just moments, reduce to ruin a beautiful

house having been purchased after years of savings.
Essentially, a person unconscious of the nature of this life
feels confused when he experiences such a loss; becoming
overwrought with pessimism and rebelliousness.
Those far removed from the morality of the Qur'an fail
ever to recognize that a loss of wealth could be for a good or
beneficial aspect. Indeed, due to their outlook and failure to
put their trust in God, upheavals they experience in their
economic situation become emotionally burdensome.
However, this is not the case for those who seek to