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Lesson: 14 Covetousness and its Harms
One of the
branches of materialism is covetousness. It sometimes shows itself in the form
of greed for status and sometimes in the form of eagerness to hoard wealth and
sometimes it takes the shape of passions and desires. The root of this attribute
too, like all other human attributes, is desirable, but it also, like other
things must be kept under control so as to benefit from it.
In this connection
the Holy Quran says: Surely man is created of a hasty temperament; being
greatly grieved when evil afflicts him, and niggardly when good befalls him,
except those who pray.
In this verse
Lord Almighty mentions man as greedy except those who have permanent closeness
to God and this man, if he does not keep himself under control becomes so greedy
and covetous that he does not become contented even if the entire world is given
away to him. In the same reference the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and the infallible
Imams (a.s.) have given admonition to man through impressive examples and parables.
Here are some:-
1 - It is reported
from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): If the son of Adam had two valleys full of
gold, in fact, he would remain in search of a third one and nothing but dust
can fill the belly of the son of Adam and God forgives everyone who repents.
2 - Imam Sadiq
(a.s.) said: In truth, it has been revealed from the Heavens that if the son
of Adam had in his possession two valleys of god and silver he will nevertheless
seek a third one. O son of Adam: In fact your belly is a river among rivers
and a forest among forests which do not get filled but by dust.
3 - Imam Baqir
(a.s.) has been quoted like this: The parable of a covetous person is that of
a silk worm. The more it creates silk around himself the more its way out gets
away until it dies in frustration
In conclusion,
the infallible Imams (a.s.) through such words of wisdom went mankind to understand
that they should not follow this attribute of covetousness greed for worldly
wealth and status because following it is fatal for them.
The way
of remedying this dangerous disease
First our certainty
trust regarding the attributes of Almighty Allah must be strengthened and we
should know that he is Razzaaq Provider and He has guarantied provision for
all the creatures.
It is mentioned
in the Holy Quran: And there is no animal in the earth but on Allah is the
sustenance of it.
In another
verse He says: and whoever is careful of his city to Allah, me will make
for him an outlet, and give him sustenance from he thinks not.
Secondly a
covetous person must think over the fact that the aim of his covetousness and
greed is accumulation of wealth and that this wealth remains here but he himself
passes away from here. Yet it is for him to give an account of that wealth before
the Lord in the Hereafter.
Thirdly, we
should read with care the narrations in this regard so that the wise and precious
words of wisdom from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and his pure and infallible
family may prove effective for us. For example:
1 - The Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said: Among the causes of dryness of eyes and toughness
of heart are covetousness for obtaining provision and insistence on sin.
2 - Someone
asked Amirul Mo-mineen (a.s.): Which is the biggest disgrace? He said: Greed
for the material world.
3 - It is recorded
from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) The son of Adam becomes old, yet his two attributes
remain: one agreed and another lengthy ambitions.
Fourthly, The
more a man becomes covetous the more he deprives him-self of peace of mind and
falls in more grief and anger and burns in the internal fire. raging in his
own heart.
