Man was created by Allah with a pure heart, a heart meant to recognize its Lord, to bow in gratitude, to walk humbly on earth, and to honor the ties of family, brotherhood, and humanity. But today’s man has become a prisoner of greed. In his endless race for wealth, he has forgotten Allah, he has forgotten the Qur’an, he has forgotten the Prophet (SAW), he has forgotten the value of parents, he has broken the bond of kinship, and he has turned life into a marketplace where even love and loyalty have a price tag. The Qur’an warns, “The competition in [worldly] increase diverts you, until you visit the graveyards” (Surah At-Takathur 102:1-2). This is exactly what we see today: people are running after money as if it is eternal, but they forget that every step they take only brings them closer to their graves. Once, relationships were valued more than riches; a smile was worth more than gold, a kind word more valuable than treasure. Now hearts have hardened. Brothers fight over inheritance, sisters cry over ignored rights, parents are left abandoned in old age while children chase careers abroad, believing that success is measured only in currency. Rasulullah (SAW), said, “Beware of greed, for indeed it destroyed those before you. It commanded them to cut off relations and they cut them off; it commanded them to be miserly and they were miserly; it commanded them to commit sins and they committed sins” (Abu Dawood). This hadith is a mirror of today. Greed has made man blind; he cannot see truth, he cannot hear advice, he cannot taste the sweetness of faith.
Today’s generation calls money freedom, but in reality, it is slavery. They sell their time, their morals, their peace, their honesty, and sometimes even their faith for profit. People lie without hesitation, betray without guilt, and steal without fear because their hearts no longer tremble with the remembrance of Allah. The Qur’an says, “And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that they might aid you to consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188). Yet how many businessmen today build empires on fraud, riba, and injustice? How many politicians rob the nation’s wealth while the poor sleep hungry? How many families are torn apart by property disputes? The truth is bitter: man has forgotten what money cannot buy. It cannot buy health when sickness strikes. It cannot buy loyalty when the heart longs for love. It cannot buy peace when the soul is restless. It cannot buy forgiveness on the Day of Judgment. Rasulullah (SAW), said, “The son of Adam says: ‘My wealth, my wealth.’ But your wealth is only what you consume and finish, what you wear and wear out, or what you give in charity and thus make eternal for yourself” (Muslim). Yet today man hoards, competes, and shows off, not realizing his wealth is dust if not spent for Allah.
Look at marriages today—no longer based on love or deen, but on status and dowry. A rich man’s proposal is welcomed, while a pious poor man is rejected. Girls remain unmarried because their families cannot meet demands, while the wealthy waste millions on lavish weddings. Rasulullah (SAW), said, “The most blessed marriage is the one with the least expenses” (Ibn Majah). Yet simplicity is mocked, extravagance honored. The Qur’an exposes this disease: “Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire—of women and children, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, cattle, and land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return” (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:14). Man runs after wealth and luxury, but death strips it away in a moment. The shroud has no pockets, and the grave has no banks.
Fathers work endlessly, not to earn halal with contentment, but to compete with others and show off. Mothers raise children not with love and Islamic values, but with gadgets and hunger for status. Children grow without Qur’an, without salah, without respect for elders, but with greed planted in their hearts. We are producing smart brains but empty souls. We are building tall towers but weak homes. We are inventing technology but losing humanity. Rasulullah (SAW) said, “There will come a time upon the people when nothing will remain of Islam except its name, and nothing will remain of the Qur’an except its words. Their mosques will be beautifully decorated but devoid of guidance” (Bayhaqi). Are we not in that time now? The poor cry while the rich waste millions on luxuries. Orphans are ignored while pets are pampered. Old parents are neglected while strangers are entertained. Humanity has died because greed has eaten the heart. The Qur’an says, “And do not walk on the earth with arrogance. Indeed, you will never tear the earth apart, and you will never reach the mountains in height” (Surah Al-Isra 17:37). Yet man walks with pride, his pockets full but his soul empty.
Even religion has become business. Worship is for show. Charity is given for praise. Good deeds are posted online for likes. Allah warns, “So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer—those who make a show [of their deeds]” (Surah Al-Ma’un 107:4-6). Prayer itself has become a performance. O man! Do you not see how short life is? You run as if you will live forever, but death is closer than your vein. Allah says, “Every soul shall taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion” (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:185). Yet man builds palaces while forgetting his grave, collects wealth while forgetting accountability, earns sin while forgetting Jahannam. Allah created us to worship Him, but we worship money.
“Genuine success is found in virtues like gratitude, patience, and faith, not in material possessions. The peace of a simple life is in total contrast with the emptiness of a luxurious one built on negative emotions. God fearing are those people who prefer spiritual values and compassionate actions over materialistic pursuits, lending credence to the fact that only good deeds have lasting significance.”
Allah gave families for love, but greed replaced them. Allah gave Qur’an for guidance, but we left it on shelves. Allah sent Rasulullah (SAW), as mercy, but we abandoned his Sunnah. This is why depression spreads, why peace vanishes, why barakah is gone, why corruption fills the earth. Allah says, “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:41). The floods, the earthquakes, the diseases—are they not signs? Yet man remains stubborn. On the Day of Judgment, Allah declares, “The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children, but only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart” (Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:88-89). That Day, rich and poor will be equal in their graves. That Day, wealth will not answer—only deeds will. But man is blind to these warnings. He thinks his job, his property, his bank balance will shield him. Yet how many woke up rich and by evening were ruined? How many had treasures, but one illness made them poorer than the poorest? Allah says, “Indeed, mankind transgresses, because he sees himself self-sufficient” (Surah Al-Alaq 96:6-7). This false independence has destroyed his soul. He thinks he owns his life, but he owns nothing. His wealth is only a test and a trust from Allah. Many homes today are decorated with luxury, but empty of Qur’an. Television and entertainment fill the rooms, but hearts are restless. Parents spend freely on worldly education but hesitate to spend on Islamic knowledge. Rasulullah (SAW), said, “When the son of Adam wakes up, all of his body parts plead with the tongue, saying: ‘Fear Allah regarding us, for we are only with you; if you are upright, we are upright, and if you are crooked, we are crooked’” (Tirmidhi). Yet tongues now lie, curse, and spread filth—poisoned by greed.
Markets reveal the same disease. Sellers cheat in measures, hide defects, and lie for profit. The Qur’an warns, “Woe to those who give less [than due]…” (Surah Al-Mutaffifin 83:1-3). Offices are filled with bribes, corruption, and injustice. Farmers toil while rich traders rob them. Restaurants waste food while beggars starve. This is the cruel face of greed. And look at the youth: their dreams are not Jannah but fame. Their idols are not Prophets but influencers. They spend hours online but cannot spend minutes with Qur’an. They dance at music but feel burdened in salah. Rasulullah (SAW), said, “There will come a time when holding onto faith will be like holding burning coal” (Tirmidhi). That time has come. Youth crave not only wealth, but attention, followers, and fame. Their hunger is endless, and because of it, their hearts are empty.
The world is now a theater of hypocrisy. Politicians speak justice but steal rights. Leaders promise change but live in palaces while the poor die in hospitals. Celebrities speak of humanity while living in shameless luxury. Even religious figures crave wealth and power. Allah says, “O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? It is most hateful to Allah that you say what you do not do” (Surah As-Saff 61:2-3). Hypocrisy has become the norm. Even our ibadah is hollow—prayers without hearts, charity for fame, Hajj as a holiday of status. Allah says, “Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:27). If the heart is corrupted by greed, even worship is empty. Rasulullah (SAW), said, “The son of Adam grows old, but two things remain young in him: love of wealth and love of long life” (Bukhari, Muslim). Even on the deathbed, people cry not for sins but for wealth left behind. But Qur’an reminds: “Then you will surely be asked that Day about every blessing” (Surah At-Takathur 102:8). The solution is to return to Allah with humility, to revive qana’ah in our hearts. Rasulullah (SAW), said, “Richness is not having many possessions, but true richness is the richness of the soul” (Bukhari, Muslim). True success is in gratitude, patience, and faith—not in cars or brands. A small house with peace is better than a palace with hatred. A simple meal with family is better than a feast in pride. A night of prayer is better than a night of entertainment. Rasulullah (SAW) said, “The best of you are those who feed others and return greetings of peace” (Ahmad). Yet people today neither feed the hungry nor greet with love. They are busy feeding greed and greeting desires. O human of today, do not let dunya deceive you. Do not sell akhirah for a temporary glitter. Allah says, “But the Hereafter is better and more lasting” (Surah Al-A’la 87:17). The grave is waiting, the angels are watching, and the Day of Judgment is approaching. Only deeds will remain.
(The author a teacher by profession is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
