Page 54 - The Solution To Secret Sorrows

THE SOLUTION TO SECRET SORROWS

to let people understand the transitory nature of this worldly life.
Despite all, some people avoid thinking about these matters,
being aware that doing so will loosen their attachment to the world.
Considering that life is very short; that one can lose it unexpectedly
at any moment for any reason; and that prized qualities such as
beauty, wealth and respect can be wiped out at any time will place
on these worldly things only the value they deserve. As a result, one
will understand the irrationality of desiring temporal possessions
and direct himself towards gaining Allah's approval and eternal life
in the Hereafter.
At times, this habit of avoidance from thought—common in ig-
norant societies—can be observed even in people who claim to be
believers. Of course, their outlook on life differs greatly from those
people of the ignorant societies. But in spite of understanding the
true nature of the life of the world, they err in not living this truth as
they should. They know perfectly well that they should not be am-
bitious in any matter concerning the life of the world and that their
lives will end within 60 to 70 years, at most. They are also aware that
they must make an effort towards the eternal life in the Hereafter
and take every opportunity to tell this to others. However, they fail
to adopt this realization into their daily lives.
An example will illustrate. One who buys a brand-new car may
take every opportunity to admit that it is only one of the fleeting
blessings of worldly life and thus, it's unreasonable to be passionate
about this car. However, in case someone wants to borrow the car in
an emergency, he may forget what he has said and succumb to a pro-
tective passion for his car. Though he has condemned such behav-
iors at every opportunity up till then, he fails to act correctly when
faced with such a test in real life.
These people ignore these moral matters when they conflict

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