"Avoid cupidity (i.e. greed), for it is instant poverty."
-Prophet Muhammad PBUH
My Mind to me a kingdom is,
Such present joys therein I find,
That it excels all other bliss
That earth affords or grows by kind;
Though much I want which most would have,
Yet still my mind forbids to crave.
No princely pomp, no wealthy store,
No force to win the victory,
No wily wit to salve a sore,
No shape to feed a loving eye;
To none of these I yield as thrall:
For why? My mind doth serve all.
I see how plenty surfeits oft,
And hasty climbers soon do fall;
I see that those which are aloft
Mishap doth threaten most of all,
They get with toil, they keep with fear;
Such cares my mind could never bear.
Content to live, this is my stay;
I seek no more than may suffice;
I press to bear no haughty sway;
Look, what I lack my mind supplies:
Lo, thus I triumph like a king.
Content with that my mind doth bring.
Some have too much, yet still do crave;
I little have, and seek no more.
They are but poor, though much they have,
And I am rich with little store;
They poor, I rich; they beg, I give;
They lack, I leave; they pine, I live.
-Sir Edward Dyer, 16th Century
"Consider well contentment, for it is a treasure without end."
-Prophet Muhammad PBUH
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5 comments:
aaah contentment--it goes against the grain of all the marketting with which we are bombarded every day...contentment with our bodies, families, health, wealth, unchangable conditions ...may Allah grant us the wisdom to be content with things that we should appreciate!!
question to everyone: where do you draw the line between exercising some healthy consumer habits, and greed?
at its root, would u consider even the smalles unnecessary purchases greedy, or are we allowed small indulgences if they appease us in the long run?
“O Children of Adam: Beautify yourselves for every act of worship, and eat and drink [freely], but do not waste: truly, He loves not the wasteful.” (Qur’an: 7:31)
saw this verse in an article i read today. there's certainly a call for balance and good judgment at the heart of your question and this verse.
moderation is key. but i don't think we're anywhere close to moderation in our modern ways.
your thoughts?
peace :)
mohamad
i've tried avoiding all the excess, but i'm not very close to doing that when i drive to far places.
also, sometimes avoiding little luxuries made me feel like i was depriving myself, and then i felt a lil bitter, to be honest. but i still hold back for the most part--just trying to enjoy a lil taste of Allah's bounty w/ out going all out.
its a difficult balance, and much easier to either indulge fully or withhold all the way.
others?
Excellent poetry choice, Mohamad. JazakAllah khayr for sharing.
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