World; A Place for Which Destruction Is Ordained
In a series of sessions recently held, sociologist and religious researcher Emad Afroogh, who passed away last week, tried to introduce the thoughts of Imam Ali (AS).
In the 24th session, he talked about Imam Ali’s (AS) views in Nahj al-Balagha on the need to avoid worldliness and following worldly desires. Here is a summary of his remarks:
The focus of our discussions was the issue of this world and worldliness as well as Imam Ali’s (AS) criticism of following worldly desires and materialism.
The Commander of the Faithful (AS) says in Sermon 45 of Nahj al-Balagha: “This world is a place for which destruction is ordained and for its inhabitants departure from here is destined. It is sweet and green. It hastens towards its seeker and attaches to the heart of the viewer. So depart from here with the best of provision available with you and do not ask herein more than what is enough and do not demand from it more than subsistence.”
When one reaches the state of having his needs fulfilled to some extent, he should not desire more and should have Qina’at (contentment). Of course, contentment does not mean remaining poor but it means that when one reaches a certain level in life, he should not be greedy and desire too much worldly assets.
Here we should also point to Sermon 52 of Nahj al-Balagha, in which Imam Ali (AS) offers very informative lessons on the need to avoid too much attachment to worldly desires.
Imam (AS) says in this sermon: “Beware, the world is wrapping itself up and has announced its departure. Its known things have become strangers and it is speedily moving backward. It is advancing its inhabitants towards destruction and driving its neighbours towards death. Its sweet things (enjoyments) have become sour, and its clear things have become polluted. Consequently, what has remained of it is just like the remaining water in a vessel or a mouthful of water in the measure. If a thirsty person drinks it his thirst is not quenched. O creatures of Allah, get ready to go out of this world for whose inhabitants decay is ordained, and (beware) heart’s wishes should overpower you, nor should you take your stay (in life) to be long.”
I believe that one can get the best knowledge of the world in Nahj al-Balagha that offers a pure worldview.
Imam (AS) also says in Sermon 82: “In what way shall I describe this world whose beginning is grief and whose end is destruction?1 The lawful actions performed here have to be accounted for, while for the forbidden ones there is punishment. Whoever is rich here faces mischief and whoever is poor gets grief. One who hankers after it does not get it. If one keeps away from it then it advances towards him. If one sees through it, it would bestow him sight, but if one has his eye on it then it would blind him.”
In Sermon 83, we read, “Certainly this world is a dirty watering place and a muddy source of drinking. Its appearance is attractive and its inside is destructive. It is a deception, a vanishing reflection and a bent pillar. When its despiser begins to like it and he who is not acquainted with it feels satisfied with it, then it raises and puts down its feet (in joy), entraps him in its trap, makes him the target of its arrows and puts round his neck the rope of death taking him to the narrow grave and fearful abode in order to show him his place of stay and the recompense of his acts. This goes on from generation to generation. Neither death stops from cutting them asunder nor do the survivors keep aloof from committing of sins.”
The Commander of the Faithful (AS) also says in Sermon 103: “O people! Look at the world like those who abstain from it, and turn away from it. By Allah, it would shortly turn out its inhabitants and cause grief to the happy and the safe. That which turns and goes away from it never returns and that which is likely to come about is not known or anticipated. Its joy is mingled with grief. Herein men's firmness inclines towards weakness and languidness…. Learned is he who knows his worth. It is enough for a man to remain ignorant if he knows not his worth.”
And then he says in Sermon 114: “As for its (the world’s) changes, you see a pitiable man becoming enviable and an enviable man becoming pitiable.” Here there is a subtle point mentioned. Sometimes we feel pity for some people and consider them to be lower in ranks, but when realities are revealed, we would envy them and vice versa.
