Those Whose Lives Are Always Hard

In life in this world, there are those whose lives are always hard. They are relentlessly beset by misfortune. One problem after another arises even before the previous one is resolved. Why? Who are they? Normatively, the answer lies in the Qur’an, Surah Al-Lail (92:8-10): ‘And as for the miserly who considers himself self-sufficient (not needing Allah’s help) and who denies (the rewards) of what is best, We will ease his path to misery.’ First, those who are stingy, greedy, and parsimonious. They are the religiously deceitful: people who not only refuse to share with others, but also neglect orphans, let the poor starve, and block people from giving something beneficial (QS Al-Ma’un [107]:1-7). This attitude is not because they lack wealth; they actually live in abundance. Second, those who are proud because they think their wealth is everything. They are the stingy ones who incite others to be stingy, share only to show off (riya), and deny God’s blessings (QS An-Nisa [4]:37-38). Third, those who deny or do not believe in the Day of Reckoning. They make it permissible to do anything to reach their aims: a life of luxury, revelry at the expense of others’ suffering, even exploiting the poor to acquire wealth. They are accursed for forgetting that life, glory, wealth, and power have an endpoint (QS At-Takatsur [102]:1-2). These three traits distance people from Allah and estrain them from society. Their wealth is abundant, but their souls are empty. No one visits when they are sick. No one extends a hand when they fall. No one takes pity when they grieve. They are alone amid various difficulties. Wealth in abundance does not bring blessing. Some even face various legal problems. They seem dead within life. Wealth, position, and power matter, even if they matter greatly. Yet if they are not grounded in core values and noble morals, they are meaningless. One can buy entertainment, but not happiness; one can buy a position and power, but not honour; one can buy medicine, but not health and life. This is why many of the Prophet’s hadiths speak of faith in Allah followed by belief in the Day of Judgment. Everything has its limits. Ramadan is a moment to increase remembrance of Allah. We draw near to Allah by drawing near to others. There is no need to build high fences around houses to fear thieves. The lid of the bowl is stronger than a wall. Harmony with neighbours makes our life secure. If relations with neighbours are good, they will watch over our homes even if the fence is always open.