“This worldly life is nothing but an amusement and play, and the Last Abode is the real life indeed. Only if they know!”

[Surah Al-‘Ankabut, 29:64]

This life when measured against eternity will not amount to anything of significance, however much value it may have in our minds now. Despite this certain knowledge, man falls prone to error and succumbs to the lure of this world and its adornments. To escape reality and responsibility, people indulge in entertainment preoccupying the limited time they have to balance the scales in their favour. The minds of the believers become numbed to the remembrance of Allah (SWT) and the obligations upon their necks.

“O you who believe, let not your worldly goods and your children divert you from the remembrance of God. And those who do that are the losers.”

[Surah Al-Munafiqun, 63:9]

Capitalism is synonymous with materialism. It is a godless belief that places happiness solely upon maximising sensory pleasure to the complete neglect and destruction of the spiritual well-being of mankind. People are encouraged to dedicate their lives working to acquire wealth so they can continue to selfishly spend money on themselves for things they rarely need. People and women do not escape being commoditised and objectified. Rather than promoting contentment, the insatiable desire of man is mercilessly stoked to maintain the beliefs and industries that perpetuate inequity and injustice.

“It has been made attractive for people to love the desired things; that is, women, children, hoarded heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and tillage. That is an enjoyment of the worldly life; but with Allah lies the beauty of the final resort.”

[Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:14]

Materialism is of two parts, one which is the belief that only that which is tangible and sensed exists and the other which promotes a love for physical worldly things over anything else, both of these ideas strongly contradict Islam. Materialism at its root is opposed to the fundamental tenets of Islam, placing happiness and fulfilment in the acquisition of worldly things and frivolous entertainment, and denying the existence of Allah (SWT) and the relationship or link we should be dedicating our lives to establishing with Him.

Dear Muslims, the material temptations of this world are boundless, the kufr beliefs relentlessly encourage man to indulge in satisfying their desires unceasingly and a constant barrage of marketing applies pressure to acquire the latest and greatest objects. There is no doubt that this has lead mankind to the precipice of spiritual destruction with a vicious cycle of dissatisfaction, unfulfillment and detachment from the existence of Allah (SWT).

Whilst the believers are not ascetics, detaching themselves from worldly life, we should be mindful in line with the saying of ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib (RA) “It is not that we shouldn’t own anything but rather that those things should not own us”. Our focus should be as travellers on our way to the eternity of Jannah from the limited time of this Dunya to make only provisions for which we need. A “need” is very different to a “want”. We must not become distracted by the fruits of the Dunya, but strive to maintain a singular focus on the remembrance of Allah (SWT), our obligations towards Him and our mission to take the truth, justice and peace of Islam to the rest of the world Insha’Allah.

“Keep yourself content with those who call their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure, and let not your eyes overlook them, seeking the splendour of the worldly life. And do not obey the one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, and who followed his desire and whose behaviour has exceeded the limits.”

[Surah Al-Kahf, 18:28]