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O Allah, protect us from the greed of our souls.

Allah Almighty says: (And whoever is protected from the greed of his soul, then those are the successful), and undoubtedly, we all aspire to be among the successful, in every aspect of life.

اللهم قنا شح أنفسنا

That success is often expressed with the word 'achievement'. But how do we succeed and prosper, when we have made money our greatest concern, and allowed greed to dominate us in various forms, even if spending is for our own affairs.


Truly, as it has been said for a long time, money has destroyed people, and the reality is that a person only receives what is destined by their own greed, no matter how meager it may be. And from this greed, misery enters their life, embracing their soul, as comfort departs, fleeing and hiding, abandoning its dwelling in the realm of thoughts that man, in his ignorance, fills with things other than what is beneficial and rewarding, sometimes even with harm.


Often we value what is of no benefit to us, prioritize it, neglect what would benefit us, then complain about the corruption of life and the distress of the soul. The truth is that the greed that afflicts souls and their woes is not confined to money alone; it extends to the greed of emotions and words that hearts spend, not pockets. The reality is that whoever is stingy with their wealth is undoubtedly stingy in their feelings and actions. The initial greed leads to further stinginess, from cause to effect.


A generous person spends from their wealth and their words and in both cases, generosity is manifested. The soul is purified, rewarded, and both the Quran and the honorable traditions of the Prophet have elevated the importance of good deeds and kind words. The essence of Islam lies in a Muslim being benevolent in every circumstance, for true servitude to God is not merely in performing prescribed acts of worship.

There are many narrations emphasizing the virtues of charitable spending, with the promise of rewards for the mindful Muslim, even if it's for oneself or one's family. For example: (When a man spends on his family with a sincere intention, it is considered charity), (You will never spend seeking the face of Allah, but that you will be rewarded, even for the morsel you put in your wife’s mouth). Let's pay attention to the phrase: (seeking the face of Allah); it encompasses all.


These narrations are revelations from those who understand human nature and its inclinations (And man is ever avaricious). The essence is to urge altruism and reject greed. Returning to the topic of greed, what truly deserves human suffering due to greed?! Everything in one's hand is transitory and so is one's life transient. What endures is one's acts of kindness and moments of generosity, never forgotten or unacknowledged, on earth or in the heavens.


Anything beyond that leads to disappointment upon disappointment, deceiving the ignorant, whose souls are filled with greed, leaving them hollow, disappointed, and losers, far from prosperity, may God protect us. With greed, neither prosperity nor honor endures. Greed is a loss of self, honor, and wealth, succinctly a loss to the essence of human existence.


May Allah have mercy on the poet who once said, seemingly observing the nature of human souls from a higher place:

'And whether you eat, or give your brother food, neither the provision nor the eater remains.'

O Allah, protect us from the greed of our souls."


If you have any more text to translate or any other questions, feel free to ask.

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