The Seventh Point

Extravagance gives rise to greed, and greed leads to three consequences.

The first consequence is dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction destroys a person’s endeavour and enthusiasm for work. Instead of fostering gratitude, it gives rise to complaint, and instead of encouraging diligence, it breeds laziness. It drives people to abandon modest but lawful earnings in pursuit of effortless and unlawful wealth, often at the cost of sacrificing both their self-respect and even their honour.

The second consequence is disappointment and loss. The greedy drive away the very thing they seek, expose themselves to humiliation, forfeit support and assistance, and ultimately experience the truth expressed in the saying:

اَلْحَرٖيصُ خَائِبٌ خَاسِرٌThe greedy person ends in loss and failure.

that is, “The greedy person ends in disappointment and loss.”

The effects of greed and contentment can be observed throughout the living world according to a universal law. For example, the natural contentment of trees regarding their sustenance causes their provision to hasten to them, whereas animals pursue their food greedily, with hardship and scarcity. Likewise, the contented state of newborn creatures causes pure nourishment, such as milk, to flow to them unexpectedly, while wild animals pursue deficient and impure food with relentless greed. Similarly, the contented disposition of well-fed fish results in abundant provision, whereas intelligent animals such as foxes and monkeys tirelessly pursue their sustenance with greed yet often remain thin and weak because they cannot obtain enough. All of this clearly demonstrates the great loss brought about by greed and the immense benefit and ease that accompany contentment.

Furthermore, the Jewish people, through greed, usury, and deception, often obtain only a meagre and unlawful livelihood in a degrading and wretched manner, whereas the nomads of the desert, through their contented way of life, preserve their dignity and secure sufficient provision. This again serves as a clear confirmation of the principle we have stated.

Likewise, many scholars and men of letters fall into poverty because of the greed stirred by their intelligence, while many who are unlearned and lacking in exceptional ability attain wealth through their innate contentment. This plainly shows that lawful sustenance is granted on account of one’s helplessness and need, not by virtue of one’s power or personal effort. Indeed, halal provision is, in a sense, inversely proportional to strength and self-reliance. As children grow stronger and more capable of acting independently, their provision becomes less immediate, more distant, and harder to obtain.

In accordance with the wisdom expressed in the hadithA report of the sayings, actions, or approvals of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh).,

اَلْقَنَاعَةُ كَنْزٌ لَا يَفْنٰىContentment is a treasure that never perishes.

“Contentment is an unfailing treasure.”

Indeed, contentment is a source of prosperity and ease of life, while greed is a mine from which only loss, humiliation, and misery are extracted.