The desire for a long life

Dear Islamic brothers! Other than the greed of wealth, one form of greed is the desire for a long life, the desire of which is possibly found in the heart of every person today; people form long-term plans and have long hopes.

Dear Islamic brothers! The excellence of a believer is such that he only wishes to live a long life so that he can perform more good deeds and make preparations for the Hereafter. Wishing for life in order to make preparations for the Hereafter is not a desire for life, rather it is preparation for the Hereafter and a good type of greed. But Remember! A long life and a lot of wealth are not a sign of Allah Almighty being pleased; in fact, these can sometimes become a means of ruin.

Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ states: A person said, ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Who is the best from among the people?’ He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, ‘The one whose life is long, and whose actions are good.’ The person asked, ‘Who is the worst from among the people?’ He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, ‘The one whose life is long, and whose actions are bad.’ (Tirmizi, vol. 4, p. 148, Hadith 2337)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                          صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Not all greed is bad

Dear Islamic brothers! We have just heard regarding the greed of wealth and a long life. Remember! Not all greed is bad, the greed for something good, is good, and the greed for something bad, is bad; and choosing the good or the bad is in our control. Wealth is not generally a good thing nor is it just a bad thing nor is the desire for earning wealth a bad thing in every case. Earning wealth beyond one’s needs with the intention to support relatives is a good greed, whereas earning more in order to boast before others is a bad thing.