Egotism - the Root of all Evils
The scholars of ethics have
defined egotism as the mother of corruption (Ummul Fisad), the root of
all vices and sins, and in order to attain self-refinement one must seriously
struggle against it. Here, in the beginning, its meanings shall be explained
and then the evil influences of this characteristic and confrontation methods
against them shall be discussed. Meanwhile, it must be understood that each
living existence by nature is an egotist and shows keen interest about his
essence, characteristics, actions, effects, and perfection. Therefore, egotism
cannot be condemned something as absolutely undesirable, but requires further
explanation.
Earlier it was pointed out that
a human existence consists of two stages and possesses two selves or two mines,
i.e. animal-self and human-self. The human-self consists of a Celestial Spirit,
(blown by God-Almighty), descended from Heavenly Kingdom to become God's
Vicegerent upon earth. From this point of view it belongs to the category of
knowledge, life, power, blessing, benevolence, perfection, goodness, and by
nature aspires towards these ideals.
Therefore, if a person
recognizes himself (the human-self) and discovers the values incorporated
therein, considers them as honorable, strives to achieve the nearness of the
Fountainhead of Absolute Perfection, which results in his revival of moral
decencies, virtues, and goodness. Considering the above, this type of egotism
could not be regarded as undesirable, rather is something good and
praiseworthy, because this characteristic is not egotism rather in reality it
is God-seeking. This matter has already been explained earlier and a detailed
discussion shall be presented later.
The second stage of human
existence consists of his animal-self, and in this stage he is like an animal
exactly, possessing animalistic desires and passions. Although, in order to
remain alive in this world and to sustain a living, a human being is supposed
to provide his animalistic means of living up to a moderate limit, and up to
this extent there does not exist any prohibition and reproach. But the most
important and determining factor is that whether the body should be ruled by
the wisdom and celestial human spirit or by the imperious-self and his animal-self.
If wisdom and human-self rule,
then the animal-self and his passions are adjusted, optimized, and all of them
are mobilized for journeying on the path of exaltedness and perfection leading
towards God's Nearness. In this case the human-self which is the same existence
attached to God - assumes his authenticity, whereby revival of moral excellence
in conduct and God's Nearness become the primary goal, and taking care of
one's animalistic requirement will become a secondary aim. Therefore, egotism
and love for self not only has not been condemned, on the contrary have been
praised.
But if the imperious-self and
animal-self took over control of bodily affairs, the wisdom and human-self are
subdued and become isolated, in which case a man gradually takes distance from
God and human values, falling ultimately into deep and dark valleys of
ignorance. He forgets his human-self (i.e. humanism) and recognizes in his
place his unconscious self (Na-khud) (i.e. animalism). And these are the
meanings of egotism which is called as the mother of all evils and is
therefore, undesirable.
An egotist sees only his own
animal-self and nothing else. All his actions, efforts, talks, and character
revolves around the axis of satisfying his animalistic passions and desires. He
practically considers himself as an animal and does not recognize any goal in
life except meeting his animalistic requirements. In order to accomplish these
base animalistic objectives considers himself as independent or renegade and
justifies all his actions. His animal-self is the only thing which he considers
something sacred and honorable.
He demands every thing for his
own sake, even truth and justice, which should back up his animalistic desires,
and if they are not on his side, does not need such justice, rather gives
himself the right to wage combat against them. He even interprets and comments
religious commands and obligations as he pleases, assigning authenticity to his
own opinions and thinking, whereby the religious laws and obligations are
supposed to adopt themselves in accordance with his whims and passions.
Since an egotist is deprived of
real human dignity, virtues and moral perfection; he keeps himself amused with
whimsical, false, and futile affairs such as: seeking false publicity,
ambitiousness, covetousness, snobbishness, eating, drinking, sexual pleasures,
and remains totally ignorant from God's Remembrance and self-perfection.
Because an egotist is infatuated
and obedient to his imperious-self, he does not have any other aim except
satisfying the demands of his passions in the best possible manner; in order to
meet this animalistic objective is not ashamed of performing the most shameful
deeds and consider them as justified and permissible. He wants to accomplish
his animalistic goals, and in order to achieve them does not refrain from
indulgence in lying, accusing, oppressing, and breech of commitments,
deception, treachery, and any other acts of transgression.
Therefore, egotism is the mother
of all evils which makes all acts of abjectness justified and permissible, or
in other worlds, it can be said that all acts of transgressions in reality are
the by-products of egotism which are manifested in different manners at
different occasions-. For example, oppression and trampling over the rights of
others could not be anything other than self-centeredness. Likewise, lying,
backbiting, ill-speaking, fault-finding, jealousy, and revenge all are the
vices of egotism which have been manifested in these manners. It is because of
this reason that self-centeredness is called as the root of all transgressions.
Self-centeredness consists of
various degrees and stages the highest of them leads to the state of
self-adoration a self-worshipping. If this ugly characteristic is not
confronted strongly, it gradually becomes so intense whereby the imperious-self
becomes an object of worship, whose commands must be obeyed absolutely, and a
person becomes submissive to his whims and passions to the extent of adoration.
God-Almighty said about such a person in the Holy Quran:
"Seest thou such a one as taketh for his god His own
passion (or impulse)?" -the Holy- Quran 25:43.
Is worship means any thing else except that a worshipper in
front of his object of worship humbles and bows down, and should be submissive
to his commands absolutely without raising least objection? Similar is the case
with an egotist person because he regards his self as an object of worship and
humbles and prostrates in front of him by obeying his commands without any
question. Therefore, an egotistic cannot be considered as a Monotheist.
10.1. Worldliness -the Source
of all Sins
In Islamic narrations and
Heavenly verses the world has been defined as a place of amusement, and an
object of arrogance which has been severely condemned; its attachment is not
worthy of the lofty status of believers, and therefore, they should strictly refrain
themselves from being attached to its adornments. Following are few examples:
The Holy Quran said:
"For the life of this world is but goods and
chattels of deception” -the Holy- Quran (3:185)
And said:
"What is the life of this world but play and
amusement but best is the home in the Hereafter, for those who are righteous.
Will ye not then understand ? -the Holy- Quran (6:32)
And said:
“Know that the life of this
world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you and
rivalry in respect of wealth and children: as the likeness of vegetation after
rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth
up and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw. And in the
Hereafter there is grievous punishment." -the Holy- Quran (57:20)
The Commander of the Faithful
Imam' Ali (A) said:
“So now, certainly I frighten you from this world for it
is sweet and green, surrounded by lusts, and liked for its immediate
enjoyments. It excites wonder with small things, is ornamented with (false)
hopes and decorated with deception. Its rejoicing do not last and its
afflictions cannot be avoided. It is deceitful, harmful, changing, perishable,
exhaustible, liable to destruction eating away and destructive."-Nahjul Balagha, sermon -111.
And said:
"The world is a place
for which destruction is ordained and for its inhabitants departure from here
is destined. It is sweet and green. It hastens towards its seeker and attaches
to the heart of the viewer. So depart from here with the best of provision
available with you and do not ask herein more than what is enough and do not
demand from it more than subsistence. -Nahjul Balagha, sermon -45.
There are plenty of narrations
[1] and verses in which the world has been reproached, and the people .are
warned to refrain from being attached to its adornments. Especially, in the
precious book of Nahjul-Balagha (the Path of Eloquence), the world and worldly
have been reproached severely, and it has been emphasized that the people
should not be attached to this perishable transient world, and should pay more
attention towards the Hereafter. In this book the people have been divided into
two groups: the worldly and the one who is attached to the Hereafter. Each one
of these groups follow their own special program. The God-Almighty has said in
the Holy Quran:
“Whoso desireth the reward of the world, we bestow on him
thereof and whoso desireth the reward of the Hereafter, we bestow on him
thereof.” -the Holy- Quran (3:145)
And said:
“Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the
world. But the good deeds which endure are better in the Lord's sight for
reward and better in respect of hope. -the Holy- Quran (18:46)
10.2. What is World?
Anyhow, Islam considers world
something as undesirable and demands from its followers to practice asceticism.
Here, it would be appropriate to throw some light about the Islamic concept of
this world, and why it has been reproached? Does the world consist of worldly
existence such as: earth, sun, moon, stars, animals, plants, trees, mines, and
human beings? Therefore, the life of this world can be defined as working,
eating, drinking, sleeping, marrying and other related acts of living. Does
Islam refrain from these things? Do earth, sky, animals, vegetables, and trees
are bad things that a human being should avoid them?
Does Islam prohibits earning a
living, acquiring of knowledge, business and production, and sexual
relationship? Absolutely this is not the case, because all of the above things
have been created by God-Almighty, and in case they were bad, He would not have
created them. God-Almighty regards them as His Beautiful Bounties which should
be conquered by human beings and should be utilized for their advantages. The
wealth and property not only is not reproached but on the contrary has been
introduced as blessing in the Holy Quran as follows:
“If he leaves wealth, that he bequeath unto parents and
near relatives in kindness.” -the Holy- Quran (2:180)
Earning a genuine living by lawful means not only has not
been reproached, rather has been regarded as one of the best kind of worship.
Following is an example:
The Holy Prophet (S) said:
“Worship consists of seventy acts and the best among them
is the act of earning a genuine living through lawful means." -al-Kafi, vol. 5, p-78.
Imam al-Baqir (A) has said:
"Whoever endeavors sincerely for earning a genuine
living (through lawful means); becomes self-sufficient in taking care of his
expenditures; maintains a reasonably comfortable standard of living for his
family; shows benevolence to his neighbors -such a person will meet
God-Almighty in the Hereafter, while his face will be shining like the full
moon." -al-Kafi, vol. 5, p-88.
Imam al-Sadiq (A) said:
“Whoever strives for earning a living for his family is
tantamount to a warrior engaged in Holy War for the sake of God." -al-Kafi, vol. 5, p-88.
The Islamic traditions emphasize
the importance of work, farming, agriculture, trade, and even marriage. The
life styles of Prophet (S) and Infallible Imams (A) indicate that they too have
worked for earning a living. Commander of the Faithful Imam' Ali (A) the leader
of the pious also mode endeavors and worked hard for earning a living in his
life. Therefore, what is really meant with this reproached world? In the
opinion of some people it is not the world which is reproached rather it is the
attachment to world which has been strictly condemned. e.g. the Holy Quran
said:
“Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come)
from women and offspring, and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and horses
branded (with their mark), cattle, and land. That is comfort of the life of the
world, God-Almighty ! With Him is a more excellent abode." -the Holy- Quran (3:14)
The Commander of the Faithful
Imam' Ali (A) said:
"Be careful not to attach your self from this
(transient) world, because love of world is the root of all sins and origin of
all catastrophes." -Gharar al-Hukm, p-150.
Imam al-Sadiq (A) said:
"Attachment to World is the basis of all sins and
transgressions." -Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 3, p-7.
From these types of traditions
it could be inferred that what is condemned is the attachment to these worldly
affairs and not the affairs in themselves. Here the question arises whether
absolute attachment and love to worldly affairs is condemned and should not a
man have any attachment to his wife, children, house, wealth, and food? How
could such a thing be expected?
Because, the attachment to these
affairs is a natural thing for a human being; God-Almighty has incorporated
these attachment within his primordial nature, and that is the way human beings
have .been created by Him. Is it possible for a man not to love his wife and
children?
Is it possible not to love clothing,
delicious foods, and other beautiful things of this world? If love of these
things was prohibited, God would not have created human being with these
tendencies. A human being in order to keep himself alive requires these things,
and accordingly he has been created in such a manner that he should feel a
natural inclination towards these affairs. The Commander of the Faithful Imam'
Ali (A) said:
"The human beings are the children of this World and
they should not be blamed for loving their mother.” -Nahjul Balagha, saying 33
The Islamic traditions recommend that one must love and show
affection towards his wife and children. The Holy Prophet (S) and Infallible
Imams (A) too had shown affection towards their wives and children. Some of
them liked foods and showed interest in them. Therefore, sky, plants, trees,
mines, animals, and similar other God's bounties are neither bad nor condemned.
Similarly, wife, children, wealth and property, affection shown towards these
things and life of this world, are not only not condemned, rather in some of
the traditions, the world even has been praised. Following is the example:
In reply to a person who has
condemned the world, the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (A) said:
"Verily this world is a
house of truth for those who look into it deeply and carefully, an abode of
peace and rest for those who understand its ways and moods, and it is the best
working ground for those who want to procure rewards for Hereafter. It is a
place of acquiring knowledge and wisdom for those who want to acquire them, a
place of worship for friends of God and for angels.
It is the place where
prophets receive revelations of the Lord. It is the place for virtuous people
and saints to do good deeds and to be given rewards for the same, only in this
world they could trade with God's favors and blessings and only while living
here they could barter their good deeds, with His Blessings, and rewards.”-Nahjul Balagha, short saying 130.
Imam al-Baqir (A) said:
"The world is the best support for the Hereafter.” -Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 73, p-127.
Imam al-Sadiq (A) said:
"Anyone who does not like earning a living by lawful
means to maintain his prestige, to pay his obligations and to take care of his
relatives, then -such a person lacks any merit and goodness.” -al-Kafi, vol. 5, p-72.
Therefore, what is meant by the
condemnation of world and its love and attachment which is the roots of all
evils? From the over all collection of these verses and traditions it could be
inferred that, what is condemned is the worldliness and becoming infatuated
with it, and not the creatures of the world, its life, and genuine liking of
worldly affairs in themselves.
Islam, demands people to
recognize the world the way it is and then they should appraise its worth
accordingly; they should also discover the exalted Divine Goal behind their own
creation as well as the world, and should move in that direction. If they acted
in this manner –they belong to the Hereafter, otherwise they belong to the
worldly group.
10.3. World's Reality
In order to explain this matter
in the beginning we would discuss the reality and nature of world from Islamic
point of view and then a conclusion could be reached. Islam believes in the
existence of two worlds: The first one is the same material world where we live
and is called world. The other one is where we will be transferred after death
and is called Hereafter and Next World.
Islam believes that the life of
a person does not terminate at his demise; rather he will be transferred after
death to an eternal abode known as the Next World. Islam regards the world as
perishable, transient, and a temporary abode, while considers the Hereafter and
Next World as a permanent and eternal abode.
Men has not came to this world
in order to live for a short while and finally to die and be destroyed, rather
he has come to achieve self perfection through acquiring knowledge, good deeds,
and training –and to live happily forever in his eternal abode in the Next
World. Therefore, the world is like a form land for cultivation of fruits for
Hereafter, place for acquiring knowledge, and a place for making arrangements
for provisions of a journey.
However, man for the sake of his
survival and in order to live in this world has no other choice except to
utilize Divine Bounties which have been created for his consumption. But
utilization of these Divine Bounties should be regarded as a mean and not an
end in itself.
The aim of creation of human
beings and world was not just to have comfortable luxurious life and to take
the maximum advantage of worldly pleasures, rather there was an exalted and
superior goal behind it e.g. the nourishment of the “Jewel of Humanity" (Jowhar-e-Insaniyat)
through attaining self-perfection and ascending towards God's Nearness.
Following are few examples of Islamic narrations in this matter:
The Commander of the Faithful
Imam' Ali (A) said:
“Certainly this world has not been made a place of permanent
stay for you. But it has been created as a pathway in order that you may take
from it the provision of your (good) actions for the permanent house (in Paradise).
Be ready for departure from here and keep close your mount for setting off.” -Nahjul Balagha, sermon-123.
And said:
"Remember that this
world is a thoroughfare, a road upon which people are passing night and day,
and the Next World is the abode of permanent stay. While, passing along this
road make provision for the next where you will reside forever. Do not go with
a burden of sins and vices before the One, Who knows everything about you.
Remove vicious ambitions from your mind before death removes you from your
surroundings.
Remember, that you are being
tried in this world, and are created to be given a permanent residence in the
Next World. When a man dies people ask what he has left behind as a legacy, and
angels want to know what he has sent forward (good deeds and good words). May
God have mercy upon you, send something in advance to the place where you will
have to follow; it may be a sort of a deposit with God to be repaid to you on
your arrival. Do not leave all of your's behind, it will be a drag upon
you."-Nahjul Balagha, sermon-203.
He further said:
"Remember, that this world which you covet so
ardently and attempt to acquire so earnestly, and which some times annoys you
and some times pleases you so much, is neither your home nor a permanent
destination. You have not been created for it, nor invited to it as your resting
place. It shall neither remain with you forever nor will you remain in it
eternally.
“If it has enticed you with
its charms, it has also warned and cautioned you of real dangers lurking in its
folds. Take account of the warnings it has given you and do not be seduced or
deceived by its allurements. These warnings should desist you from being too
greedy or too covetous to possess it. Try, to advance towards the place where
you are invited for eternal bliss, and turn your face away from the vicious world.”-Nahjul Balagha, sermon-173.
Therefore, as we can see the
reality or the nature of the world in these narrations has been described such
as: passage, a house of vanity, and deception etc. The human beings have not
been created for this rather for the Hereafter, they have came here to nourish
their humanism through knowledge and deeds and to arrange provisions for their
eternal journey.
10.4. The Next Worlders
Islam requires that people
should discover the reality, essence, and nature of this world the way it
actually is and, therefore, should adopt their deeds and behavior in accordance
to their own perspective. Whoever, has discovered the nature of such a world
will never become infatuated or would be loosing his heart for its sake. They
will never be deceived by its power of wealth and other allurements.
While living in this very world,
and utilizing all of its lawful pleasures and bounties, will never become
slaves and prisoners of this vicious world. They will never forget God-Almighty
and Hereafter even for a single moment and will endeavor continuously for
accumulation of provisions for their eternal journey through performance of
virtuous deeds.
While they live in this world
but with their esoteric hearts eyes look towards the sublime realities of Upper
Heavens. In all situations, at all times, and in all their deeds they do
consider the existence of God-Almighty and Hereafter and, therefore, are able
to take advantage of these opportunities for enrichment of their eternal life.
They regard the world like a form land for cultivating fruits for the Hereafter
-a place for conducting business and endeavor to collect provisions for their
journey to eternal abode.
They commission all the
resources of this transient world to the full advantage of their Hereafter,
even their working, eating, drinking, marrying, and other worldly deeds are
utilized for the Next World. Such people are not worldly and belong to the Next
World. Ibn abi Yafur narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (A) as follows:
“I said to Imam al-Sadiq:
'We like the world.’
'What do you do with its
wealth' ? Asked the Imam.
"I replied. 'By means of
this wealth, we get married, go for Hajj-pilgrimage, take care of genuine
family expanses, help our poor brothers and give alms for the sake of God.’
'This is not world, rather it
is Hereafter.’ Replied the Imam." -Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 73, p-l06.
The Commander of the Faithful
Imam' Ali (A) said:
“O creature of God! remember that God fearing and pious
persons passed away from this world after having led a respectable and fruitful
life , and they are going to be well rewarded in the Next World (when compared
with worldly people, they had equal opportunities of gathering fruits of this
world and utilize them to the best of their abilities, and at the same time
kept away from all wicked and vicious way of life). They did not jeopardize
their salvation like worldly minded persons. They led a more contended, more
respectable and happier life, than those who lived wickedly.
They enjoyed the fruits of
their labors, and had more gratifying, sober and healthy experience of the
pleasures of life than the rich and wealthy had. They regaled and enjoined the
joys, the facilities and the bliss of this world as much as tyrant and vicious
people desired to enjoy.
Yet, while leaving this
world, they carried with them all which will be of .use to them in the Next
World. While living in this world they enjoyed the, happiness of relinquishing
its evil ways. They made themselves sure that in the life to come they will be
recipient of His Grace and Blessings, their requests will not be turned down,
and the favors destined for them in the Heaven will not be lessened or
reduced.”-Nahjul Balagha, letter no.27.
Therefore, working as an
employee to earn a living, being involved in trade, business and agriculture,
and acceptance of positions involving social responsibilities not only are not
the least incompatible of one's being a pious or man of Hereafter, on the
contrary these very acts could be utilized as means of achieving God's
Pleasure, and accumulation of provisions for the eternal abode.
The Commander of the Faithful
Imam 'Ali (A) with all those serious efforts and endeavors for earning a living
was the most ascetic person, but simultaneously was the ruler over his people.
In the darkness of night he cried at the alter of the worship saying:
“O world, O world ! Get away from me. Why do you present
yourself to me? Or are you eager for me? You may not get that opportunity to
impress me. Deceive some other person. I have no concern with you. I have
divorced you thrice, where after there is no restitution. Your life is short,
your importance is little, and your liking is humble. Alas! The provision is
little, the way is long, the journey is far, and the goal is hard to reach.”-Nahjul Balagha, saying 77.
Also he said:
"Get away from me O world! Your rein is on your own
shoulders as I have released myself from your ditches, removed myself of your
snares, and avoided walking into your slippery places."-Nahjul Balagha, letter no.45.
The Commander of the Faithful
Imam 'Ali (A) while accompanying his soldiers and marching towards the battle
field showed a very old and worn out shoe to Ibne Abbas and said:
“If I cannot establish a regime of justice and truth and
if I cannot eradicate tyranny and impiety, than the value of this Government
and Caliphate is less to me than the cost of this pair of shoes." -Nahjul Balagha, sermon-33.
Such were and still are the
God's most sincere servants; although, they live in this very world but they
look towards the higher horizons and are the people who belong to Hereafter.
Like other people they too are engaged in making serious efforts and endeavors
for earning a living and sometimes even accept the highest social positions
namely: commander, governor and ruler. But they accept these responsibilities
solely for the sake of seeking God's Pleasure and fulfillment of their duties.
Within the lawful limits they
utilize the God’s Bounties, but at the same time have divorced this vicious
world for three times and cleaned their hearts from its allurements. They wage
war in order to take hold of the ruling power, but only for the sake of defense
of truth and implementation of social justice and not simply for the sake of
enjoying being a ruler.
10.5. The Worldly Beings
But whoever could not identify
the world -the way it is; become carried away and amused with its adornments;
considered it as the main goal of the creation and after that there is no
accountability and Hereafter; became prisoner of wealth and property, wife and
children, and position and power; took hold of worldly life firm; forgot about
the existence of God and Hereafter; closed his eyes from spiritual values and
made sole aim of his life satisfying animal passions and taking the maximum
advantage from worldly pleasures, then such a person would be considered
belonging to the worldly people. Even though he might be a poor, destitute,
monastic person, and might refrain from acceptance of positions involving
social responsibilities.
The God-Almighty said in Holy
Quran.
"They know only some appearance of the life of this
world, and are needless of the Hereafter." -the Holy- Quran (30: 7)
And said:
"Such are those who buy the life of the world at the
price of Hereafter." -the Holy- Quran (2: 86)
And said:
"Take ye the pleasure in the life of the world
rather in the Hereafter ? The comfort of the life of the life of the world is
but little than in the Hereafter" -the Holy- Quran (9: 38)
And said:
"Lo! Those who expect not the meeting with Us, but
desire the life of this world and feel secure therein, and those who are
neglectful of our revelations, there home will be fire because of what they
used to earn." -the Holy- Quran (10: 7-8)
Imam al-Sadiq (A) said:
“The worst condition for the relationship between man and
God-Almighty is the situation, when a person does not have any other aim,
except satisfying the hunger of his stomach, and taking care of his sexual
requirements.” -Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 73, p-18.
The Commander of the Faithful
Imam 'Ali (A) said:
"In a heart infatuated with world, presence of piety
is forbidden." -Gharar al-Hukm, p-383.
Also he said:
“It is the worst kind of trade, whereby one considers the
world worthy of his self; and purchases the world at the expanses of
Hereafter.”-Nahjul Balagha, sermon-32.
If, the world has been condemned, it is because of the
reason of its being a place of vanity and deceit which makes people its prisoners.
It manifests itself sweet and attractive keeping people amused with its
pleasure, thus, preventing them from God's remembrance and collection of
provisions for their journey towards eternal abode.
The world has been reproached,
and this act has been so explicitly publicized so that people become cautious
not to be deceived by its deceitful manners, and should not allow themselves to
become infatuated with its charms or becoming its prisoners forever. What has
been condemned -is the attachment to transient world; forgetting the real aim
of the creation; becoming totally negligent about the eternal life -and not the
God's Bounties.
10.6. The Worldly and Next
Worlders
Therefore, whoever works in this
world for Hereafter is a man of Next World, and the one who works for this
world will join the worldly group. The Commander of the Faithful Imam ' Ali (A)
said:
“There are two kinds of workers in the world. One is a
person who works in this world for this world and his work of this world keeps
him unmindful of the Next World. He is afraid of destitution for those he will
leave behind but feels himself safe about it. So, he spends his life after the
good of others. The other is one who works in this world for what is to come
Hereafter, and he secures his share of this world without effort. Thus, he gets
both the benefits together and becomes the owner of both the houses together.
In this way, he is prestigious before God-Almighty. If he asks him anything He
does not deny him.”-Nahjul Balagha, saying 269.
Also, he said :
"This world is a place for transit, not a place to
stay. The people herein are of two categories. One is the man who sold away his
self (to his passions) and, thus, ruined it, and the other is the man who
purchased his self (by control against his passions) and freed it.”-Nahjul Balagha, saying 133.
The difference between worldly
and Next Worlders does not consist in their being rich or poor; occupied in
worldly affairs or being without job; being social or living a monastic life;
holder of worldly positions or not; being a business man, a religious scholar,
preacher and writer; consumer of worldly bounties or otherwise; rather, the
real difference consists of ones being attached to the life of this world or
the next one; paying attention towards God-Almighty or world; considering the
goal of life simply satisfying the animalistic passions or perusal of superior
goals of attaining self-perfection and nourishment of human virtues.
Every thing, which keeps a man
occupied in itself preventing him from God is remembrance and perusal of
affairs related to Hereafter is considered as world. Although, it could be
acquiring education, teaching, writing, and being a preacher or Imam. Even
living a monastic life, being an ascetic, and being continuously engaged in
worship, if is done for the sake of other than God, will be considered as
world.
Therefore, it becomes explicitly
clear that all the worldly people do not possess the same position; similar is
the case with the Next Worlders; some of the worldly people are completely
attached to the world and are totally negligent from God and Hereafter -such
people are called the servants of world or worldly. Opposite to that, there are
pure sincere servants of God-Almighty who are totally committed to Him and
Hereafter and do not have any other goal except seeking His Pleasure.
Among these two opposite groups
there exist various ranks and positions. The degree of worldliness of each one
depends to the extent of his being attached to the world and is being away from
God's Nearness in the same proportion. On the opposite side, as much as one is
busy in God’s Remembrance and Hereafter, will be considered abandoner of the
world in the same proportion, or in other words it could be said, that being
worldly or being Next Worlder are two relative acts.
Footnotes:
[1] The dryness of eyes is the result of hard-heartedness,
hard-heartedness is caused due to excessive sinning; excessive sins are the
result of consumption of food which is arranged through forbidden and unlawful
income; earning through forbidden and unlawful means is due to forgetting
death; forgetting death is due to lengthy desires; lengthy desirers are caused
because of attachment to world; and world's attachment is the root of all evils
[Tr].