The Snake Behind the Sparkle

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveller.”

Sahih al Bukhari, 6416

It is easy to become attached to the dunya because it is what we see every day. We work for it, build our homes in it, buy things for it and make plans for our future in it.

But this world was never meant to be our permanent home.

The dunya can be like a snake to a child. A child may see a snake and become fascinated by it. He may notice its colours and movement without understanding the danger. He does not know what the adult knows.

In the same way, we can look at the dunya and see only what is attractive, while forgetting what it can do to our hearts.

When Beautiful Things Become a Distraction

There is nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings Allah has given us.

Allah says:

“But seek, through what Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of the world.”

Surah Al Qasas, 28:77

We can have a good home, earn money, enjoy good food, travel, buy nice things and provide for our families. These blessings are not the problem.

The problem begins when we become so attached to them that they distract us from Allah.

There is a difference between having something in your hands and having it in your heart.

A person can have wealth without allowing wealth to control them. Another person may have very little but spend their entire life wishing for what other people have.

The question is not simply, “How much of the dunya do I have?”

It is, “How much of the dunya has my heart?”

When Enough Never Feels Like Enough

The dunya can make us believe that one more thing will finally make us happy.

One more purchase.

One more achievement.

One more pay rise.

One more holiday.

One more level of success.

But when we finally get what we wanted, we often begin wanting something else.

Allah says:

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, adornment and boasting to one another, and competition in wealth and children.”

Surah Al Hadid, 57:20

Even if we were given everything this dunya has to offer, it still would not be enough to buy us peace.

A beautiful home cannot guarantee a peaceful heart. Money can solve some problems, but it cannot remove every worry. Possessions can bring comfort, but they cannot give the heart lasting tranquillity.

Allah tells us where true peace is found:

“Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.”

Surah Ar Rad, 13:28

Abstinence Is Key to a Peaceful Mind

There is an English proverb:

“Abstinence is key to a peaceful mind.”

There is wisdom in knowing when to step away from something.

We do not need everything we can afford. We do not need to follow every trend. We do not need to compete with everyone around us.

Sometimes peace comes from being able to say, “I do not need this.”

This is especially important when something is forbidden. Leaving what Allah has prohibited is not losing out. It is protecting ourselves.

Even with things that are halal, learning contentment can protect us from becoming consumed by them.

A Better Way to Live

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”

Sahih Muslim, 2956

This does not mean that a believer cannot enjoy life. Rather, it reminds us that the believer knows this world is temporary.

A traveller does not try to make the road his permanent home. He uses what he needs, enjoys the journey and remembers where he is going.

That is how we should approach the dunya.

We can enjoy its halal blessings without becoming attached to them. We can work hard and earn money while remembering that our wealth is a trust from Allah. We can enjoy our homes and comforts while remembering that our permanent home is still to come.

And when something begins pulling our hearts away from Allah, we should have the courage to step back.

The dunya may look beautiful, just as a snake may look fascinating to a child. But the believer learns to see beyond what is attractive and recognise what can harm the heart.

We are not here to collect everything the dunya has to offer.

We are here to pass through it while preparing for what comes after it.