The timeless civilization of Islam came to combine and strike a balance between the requirements of spirit and the need or want of material. Thus, polite spiritualism will enhance polite materialism. A truly non-material person’s soul exists at a profound level of spirituality. This is the unadulterated truth.
The ideology of materialism in exclusion of spiritual pursuit will slowly give effect to human mind and actions. No activity is congenitally spiritual or materialistic. It is our approach to each of the activity that makes it spiritual or materialistic.
Allah (S.W.T) mentioned this as one of the attributes of mankind. Allah said:
“*_And indeed mankind intensely loves wealth_*” [Q100 vs 8]
In this verse, Allah (S.W.T) critisizes those of mankind who loves wealth so much that it distracts them from their true goal. Alot of muslims think that wealth is somehow a bad thing or impure. Wealth is neither evil nor good. How we use the wealth matters. Two if the pillars of Islam require a decent amount of wealth. Zakat(charity) and Hajj(pilgrimage) require one to be wealthy enough to perform them.
Material pleasures are transient, whereas the spiritual kind may be savoured eternally. A truly non-material person’s soul exists at a profound level of spirituality. The greatest source if pleasure is in the rememberance of Allah.
Allah said:
“*_only in the rememberance of God are hearts comforted_*’ [Q13 vs 28].
Materialism as an ideology is a worldview emphasizes sensory experience and material possessions concerns to the exclusion of spiritual and religious considerations. But Islam as a religion which indicates a complete way of life teaches that our goal and everything must be based on islamic worldview which encompasses all aspects of a man’s life, including material, mental and spiritual.
Allah said:
“O you who believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from rememberance of Allah and whoever does that then those are the loser” [Q63 vs 9]
It was narrated that the prophet of Allah [PBUH] said:”Do not take the estate, such that you become desirous of the world.” [Jami’ at-Tirmidhi].
This Hadith serves as a remainder and warning against yearning for this world only.
Islam incorporates the spiritual life into the worldview of the material world so as Man would not be swayed away by his desires, leading him to his own destruction and corruption.
Allah [S.W.T] said in the glorious Qur’an:
_“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children – like the example of a rain whose plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it become debris, and in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval, And what is the wordly life except the enjoyment of delusion_.” [Q57 vs 20].
This verse clearly explains and expansiates the characteristics of materialists. It gives detailed information about them and the reward in which Allah (S.W.T) had promised them
According to the holy prophet (PBUH), we should always prefer relationship with Almighty Allah to the materials of the world as it is obvious from some of the sayings of the prophet. It was reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, he said:
” _I heard the messenger of Allah (S.A.W) saying: This world is cursed and what is in it is cursed, except the rememberance of Allah (dhikr) and what us conducive to that or who has knowledge or who acquire knowledge.” (Ibn-maja)._
This hadith laid more emphasis on the need to move closer to Almighty Allah and not be carried away by the materials of the world.
As a Muslum, we must always be careful in our actions and thoughts. We should live in balance between spiritualism and materialism. The wealth and richness cannot accompany us to our grave, but the richness of good deeds, the balance maintained between spiritualism and materialism will help us in the next world. The more you give, more you will get!
