We've become so involved in this materialistic world, it is as if everyone has become indoctrinated. It's all about who has the best shoes, the latest phone or the biggest house. We spend money on things that we don't even need. Let me ask you a question, when you go out and i.e. buy the latest phone, keeping in mind there is nothing wrong with your previous phone. Are you buying that phone because you really need it or is it just another way to compete with others? To prove you can do better than them?
We compete for worldly needs when we should be competing for the Akhirah. In the times of the Sahabah (RA) Umar (RA) and Abu Bakr (RA) would constantly compete in ways of pleasing Allah. An example of this would be the the incident with the blind old lady. This was a women who did not get much help, so Umar (RA) would go in disguise to tend to any of her needs. But whenever he went he would find that someone else had beaten him to it. This happened on numerous occasions. Umar (RA) started to become curious. On one occasion he decided to come earlier than usual and hid whilst waiting upon this person. He did not have to wait long as there came none other than Abu Bakr (RA).
Another incident is with regards to charity. As reported in Sahih of Al Bukhari, Umar (RA) said:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) commanded us to give in charity, and this coincided with my possessing some wealth. So I said (to myself): ‘If there is a day that I can better Abu Bakr (RA) then it is this one.’ So I went with half of my wealth and the Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked me, ‘What have you left for your family?’ I replied, ‘The same amount.’ Then Abu Bakr (SAW) came with everything that he possessed and the Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked him, ‘What have you left for your family?’ He replied, ‘I have left Allah and His Messenger for them.’ So I (Umar) said, ‘I will never be able to better you in anything!’
These people were the best of all people. These are the people we should be looking up to. These are the people we should aspire to be. Not those who have become blinded by the temporary bright lights of this Dunya and have become addicted to material consumption.
\Its seems to have become the norm for everyone to only be about themselves. There's only "Me, Myself and I." When was the last time we stopped for a homeless person, maybe even brought them food? When was the last time we helped out the elderly? Yes you may give charity here and then, it does not mean charity is only limited to your wealth. Just a smile could be counted as charity. But we've seem as we have forgotten this.
My Ummah this is a major flaw that we need to change. In the eyes of Allah we are equal. Allah does not judge us on how big our house is or how much our shoes cost. Allah judges us on our actions, on our intentions, on our sincerity. If this is how we are judged by The Almighty, then why is it that we live in a way of only wanting the praise of the people? In the way of only wanting the fame of this Dunya?
My dear Brothers and Sisters, you and me are both aware that everything we have is temporary. We leave this world the same way we came in it. WE LEAVE WITH NOTHING! Let us invest our wealth, our time, our energy only in the ways of pleasing our Lord and not the people.
The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever sought the pleasure of Allah though it was displeasing to the people then Allah becomes pleased with him, and will make the people please with him, and whoever sought the pleasure of the people though it was displeasing to Allah then Allah becomes displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him." (At-Tirmidhi)
Oh Allah make us of those who only live in this world to only please you, and ONLY YOU. اللهم امين
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