From the detailed discussion in the previous chapters on the irrationalities associated with Shirk and Kufr, Allah’s anger and vitriolic reaction as well as the severe chastisements after death leave no room for any misconception whatsoever regarding the fact that although Allah is Omniscient and Omnipotent, hates Kufr and Shirk tremendously and has fixed severe chastisements for those who indulge in it, yet He allows them to draw all kinds of materialistic benefits to the best of their satisfaction and need. Why is it so? Further, why have they been given access to worldly luxuries and materialistic enjoyments and there appears virtually no difference between the extent of access available to those who accept Islam and those who indulge in Kufr and Shirk.
We can certainly find the answer to this question from the chapter dealing with the details of the vast expanse of the universe. We ought to know what is the worth of this seemingly vast world as compared to the sprawling universe in the eyes of Allah. The earth that we live in does not merit even the status of a speck of sand as compared to this vast ocean of Allah’s Creation. This world stands hardly any chance even if we compare the luxuries of the Jannat available to a common Muslim or a Momin after death. It would actually be ten times bigger. The worth of this world before Allah could be readily understood with the following saying of Prophet Muhammad (SAW): If the worth of this world, in the eyes of Allah, was even equivalent to that of a wing of a mosquito, He would not have let any Kafir or Mushrik to have even a drop of water.
The second most powerful evidence of the worthlessness of this world before Allah could be that, had it been of some value, Allah would have bestowed it on his most beloved creations first – the prophets and messengers. Once, Hazrat Jibraeel appeared before Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with the divine message that if he so desired, Allah can convert the Uhud Mountains of Madinah into gold. However, he refused it and chose to go hungry at times and lead an absolutely Spartan and austere life like the poor and the orphans. He always prayed the Almighty in this way: My Lord, Sustain me in this state of poverty, give me death in the state of poverty and make me accountable along with the poor. It is so because the easiest accountability would be that of the poor and the orphans, after death. The more materialistic wealth a person possesses, the more prolonged shall be the process of accountability, similar to a foreigner who is thoroughly checked by the customs officer at the airport owing to his large baggage, taking more time. After death, Allah shall make us accountable for each and every deed performed, such as the sources of income and expenditure. If there would be no wealth, what is the question of accountability?
Obviously, when this world is a testing field for Muslims with reference to the result in Akhirah, then why would Allah bestow it to His beloved creations and above all, why would the Momin or Muslim harbour any desire for it?
From the above discussion, we come to the conclusion that the abundance or scarcity of materialistic splendour is not a criterion for Allah’s pleasure. In other words of the Holy Quran: The worldly materialistic life and its glory ‘n’ glamour is nothing more than merely the recreation ground for man or simply a theatrical play. It is akin to a piece of land which is green only for a few short days and once it becomes dusty or barren, animals trample it under their feet.
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