Controlling Greed

By: Husen Kuromaa, Tahfidz Teacher at Al-Fatah Mosque, Ciparay, Garut, West Java

Within human beings every day there is a war, between haq (truth) and bathil (falsehood). Haq is controlled by his faith and conscience. Meanwhile, Bathil is controlled by Satan and his passions.

Humans continue to struggle to always be in a state of goodness, haq. He tried to do a lot of obedience to Allah Subhanallahu wata’ala because faith will increase by approaching Him a lot.

Then, he will be defeated and weak, controlled by his desires (false), when he commits disobedience to Allah. Because a person’s faith will fade and fall if he commits many violations and disobedience to Him.

Greed Is Heart Disease

Greed is a disease of the heart. He is able to control the hearts of the perpetrators who are far from obedience to Allah.

This trait implies a condition of the heart that is never satisfied with what it has, always feels lacking and justifies any means in order to get what it wants, especially regarding matters of wealth.

This is what the Prophet (PBUH) once feared for his people. He said:

إِنَّ لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ فِتْنَةً وَفِتْنَةُ أُمَّتِيْ الْـمَـالُ

Meaning: “Every ummah has slander (test), and slander my ummah is treasure”. (HR At-Tirmidhi).

In this hadith, the Prophet reminded his people about the dangers of greed for wealth. Because many previous peoples were destroyed and perished due to the slander that was given to them as a test for them. Likewise for the people of the Prophet Muhammad Shalallahu alaihi wasallam who they were tested with slander of wealth.

But that doesn’t mean the Apostle forbade being rich. It’s just that he warned about the slander that would befall him, if he was not wise in using this wealth.

This is supported by the history of the life of the Apostle and the noble Companions. They take advantage of their wealth for the benefit of the Muslims and the cause of Islam. So that their wealth becomes a blessing and a source of enormous reward for the hereafter.

Greed Is Never Satisfied

Greedy nature will bring the culprit to ambition that never ends. He will never feel enough and satisfied with what has been obtained.

This was described by Rasulullah Shalallahu alaihi wasallam. He said:

لَوْ أَنَّ لِابْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيًا مِنْ ذَهَبٍ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَادِيَانِ، وَلَنْ يَمْلَأَ فَاهُ إِلَّا التُّرَابُ، وَيَتُوبُ اللهُ عَلَى مَنْ تَابَ

Meaning: “Indeed, if the son of Adam had one valley of gold, he would have really wanted to have two valleys (of gold) and nothing would fill his mouth but dirt. Then, Allah forgives those who repent.” (HR Bukhari and Muslim).

This hadith contains important advice for humans, that their greed will not be able to be satisfied with what they have obtained. One mountain of gold is not enough, plus one more is never enough and so on.

Then, the ambition will never stop except with only one thing, namely death. Death is a forced breaker for the greedy doers in this world.

For this reason, Allah announced and ensured that He would always accept repentance from His servants. Even if they are already overdoing it or have had a lot of sins, as long as their lives haven’t reached their throats.

Greed is Always Young

Don’t think that greedy nature will grow old with the perpetrators. Therefore, that trait will remain young even though the master is sick and old.

So, there is no doubt about the words of the parents (elders), that they admit that his physique is getting weaker, but his lust and ambition remain the same unchanged, just like he was was young.

The Apostle confirmed this. He once said:

قَلْبُ الشَّيْخِ شَابٌّ عَلَىٰ حُبِّ اثْنَتَيْنِ : طُوْلُ الْـحَيَاةِ وَحُبُّ الْمَالِ
Meaning: “The heart of an elderly person is always young in loving two things: long life and love of wealth.” (HR Bukhari and Muslim).

This hadith also provides a deep lesson, that greed never knows age. He will always be young. He will perch in every heart of the culprit as long as he is still alive. Don’t know anyone, what is his status, as long as he has a human name, he will be infected with this heart disease. Na’udzubillah min dzalik.

Protection from Heart Disease

In fact, it is God who allows that to happen. Every difficulty that befalls oneself should make one’s awareness to return to relying only on Him. Likewise with this greedy disease.

It is easy for Allah Subhanallahu wata’ala to remove it from us. Of course this is accompanied by the best endeavor so as to produce the best changes as well.

There is advice from a good mufradat. Hopefully it can be an afterthought about this heart disease. it reads:

“A little sustenance becomes a lot if qana’ah. A lot of sustenance becomes very little if you are greedy.” (Al- Mahfudzat )

No less important, always pray to Allah Subhanallahu wata’ala because He is the source of all the answers to every problem in this world.

Like the prayer exemplified by the Prophet. Hadith from Ibn Mas’ud radhiyallahu ‘anhu, he said,

اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أسْألُكَ الهُدَى ، والتُّقَى ، والعَفَافَ ، والغِنَى

Meaning: “O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, protection and sufficiency.” (Muslim HR).

May Allah Subhanallahu wata’ala always protect us from all bad heart diseases and may Allah grant us a safe heart (qolbun saliim). Amen. (T/RE1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)