From one of the well known traits of human nature that Allah (swt) gave us knowledge of is the desire to want more.
For example, the following hadith in Bukhari:
لَوْ أَنَّ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيًا مِنْ ذَهَبٍ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَادِيَانِ وَلَنْ يَمْلأَ فَاهُ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ
لَوْ أَنَّ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيًا مِنْ ذَهَبٍ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَادِيَانِ وَلَنْ يَمْلأَ فَاهُ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ
“If the son of Adam had a valley of gold, he would wish for a second valley of gold, and nothing will fulfill his mouth (i.e. end his greed) except the dust of the grave (i.e. when he dies).”
A person will always want more, and more, and more.
In another hadith from Muslim, the last person to leave the Hellfire to enter Paradise will be given a beautiful tree.
In another hadith from Muslim, the last person to leave the Hellfire to enter Paradise will be given a beautiful tree.
He will be satisfied by its produce, yet as soon as he sees one that is beautiful than it, he will ask for the more beautiful one. And yet after that, he will see another tree which is more beautiful, and he will ask for it.
Such is the nature of man.
This innate inclination for more and more is one of the main pathways to sin.
Whether it is desire for a better car, a more beautiful spouse, richer clothing, or greater wealth.
This innate inclination for more and more is one of the main pathways to sin.
Whether it is desire for a better car, a more beautiful spouse, richer clothing, or greater wealth.
It may lead to kibr, to zina, to riba.
Today, the dominant ideology of liberalism plays upon this very innate characteristic of man.
It says:
“Do what you wish! Fulfill what is only natural for you.”
Today, the dominant ideology of liberalism plays upon this very innate characteristic of man.
It says:
“Do what you wish! Fulfill what is only natural for you.”
Of course, in the beginning, thinkers such as Locke set limitations. In order to prevent chaos and immorality, he uses religion as a moral basis.
But over time, due to the ardent belief that man is in fact rational, with no need for religion, the later thinkers instead pushed the idea that there are no limits.
Mills, for instance, created the “harm principle.” Removing any limitations, so long it did not infringe upon freedoms or cause harm.
Yet, since such a moral grounding is largely subjective, man begins to destroy himself through his desires.
Yet, since such a moral grounding is largely subjective, man begins to destroy himself through his desires.
Never content, he dives deeper and deeper into what answers his carnal urges for a short time, before he is hungry yet again.
Slowly, he realizes that he will never be content. And it eats him away, physically and mentally.
Slowly, he realizes that he will never be content. And it eats him away, physically and mentally.
And more importantly, with such subjective morality, the lines between harm and benefit are blurred, until society in its entirety become corrupt.
No one can trust another individual, because like an animal, they do not know whether they will harm them or leave them.
No one can trust another individual, because like an animal, they do not know whether they will harm them or leave them.
Thus, Allah (swt) knowing his creation has this flaw, and knows how it will destroy itself through it, sets limitations upon this characteristics.
To pray, to fast, to lower the gaze, to stay away from what is prohibited.
To pray, to fast, to lower the gaze, to stay away from what is prohibited.
And the reward for this?
Paradise.
In Paradise, Allah (swt) finally grants the freedom to man to follow his innate characteristic with no harm. He will be able to have every desire, yet he will always be content.
Paradise.
In Paradise, Allah (swt) finally grants the freedom to man to follow his innate characteristic with no harm. He will be able to have every desire, yet he will always be content.
Such is the genius of Islam.
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