Imām Abū Hamīd
Al-Ghazali – Rahimahullāhu
said:
The perfected Elements Cont’d.
3). I noticed people here and there gathering the luxuries of the transitory life, keeping them to themselves only without sharing with others. I pondered on verse the verse where Allāh says:
مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ بَاقٍ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
What is with you passes away and what is with Allah is enduring; and We will most certainly give to those who are patient their reward for the best of what they did.
Thus, I spent what I earned of Dunya for the sake of Allāh Ta’āla and shared it amongst the poor ones so that it may serve as a treasure for me.
4). I came across sot Individuals who think that their honour is in the number of family or tribe they possessed and they ware deceived with them thereof. And some claim that honour is in gathering wealth and children and they boast with them. While others presume that honour is in confiscating the wealth of others, oppressing them and splinting their blood.
And some say it is in lavishing wealth and squandering them. Thus, I pondered where Allāh says:
إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is Knowing, Aware.
Therefore I chose Taqwah and I realised that all their assumptions are false and transient in nature.
5). Some are accusing and blaming themselves without any justification. Thus, I understand that the main source of such despicable act is their envy in wealth, status, and knowledge. Then I pondered where Allāh says:
نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا….
We distribute amongst them their livelihood in the life of this world,..
Then I realised that distribution is from Allāh from onsight. Then, I never envy others, rather I am pleased with what Allāh bestowed upon me.
6). I saw others feuding one another for no reasons. Then I pondered where Allāh says:
إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو..
Surely the Shaitan is your enemy, so take him for an enemy;
Hence, I understand that it is not permissible to take others as enemy apart from Shaitān and his allies.
7). And others struggling around the clock to gather sustenance and shelter through ambiguous or Haram means and humiliating themselves and reducing their dignity. Then I pondered where Allāh says:
وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
And there is no animal in the earth but on Allah is the sustenance of it, and He knows its resting place and its depository all (things) are in a manifest book.
Then I realised that sustenance is in the Hand of Allāh Ta’āla and it is already guaranteed by Him. Thus, I busy myself with worshipping him and I never stretch my hands to others due to greediness.
8). I saw others relying upon other creations, some on wealth or leadership, some on craft or trade, some on a creation like them.then I pondered where Allāh says:
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
And give him sustenance from whence he thinks not; and whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him; surely Allah attains His purpose; Allah indeed has appointed a measure for everything.
