THE DAILY SUNNAH

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In older civilizations, merchants in the same line of business would group into souks, sharing not just a marketplace but also social circles, prayers, and guilds.

They operated on a philosophy of sufficiency and community.

If one had sold enough for the day, they would close shop, supporting their fellow merchants. Though rare today, such practices are a stark contrast to modern aggressive business tactics that prioritize competition and accumulation.

Greed, often regarded as one of the worst vices, is the root of all evil and is responsible for creating other deadly sins. It corrupts various aspects of life: love turns into lust, leisure into sloth, hunger into gluttony, honor into pride, righteous indignation into anger, and admiration into envy.

But greed transcends a desire for material wealth. It includes longing for excess, whether in admiration, love, or other aspects, distorts our relationships and desires.

In our culture, greed is paradoxically seen as a virtue.

It's seen as a pathway to prosperity at a societal level but fails to bring true fulfillment or goodness. Influenced by various media, our civilization often prioritizes wealth, status, and celebrity, leading to a corruption of values and detachment from what truly matters.

But we must understand that wealth, status, and achievement aren't inherently bad. Their value is instrumental, and what we do with them determines their virtue. Fundamental concerns should be family, faith, integrity, compassion, and developing a virtuous character.

Today, countless books and courses teach aggressive business tactics, promoting a conquer-and-accumulate mindset. This is evident in ads glorifying competition and dominance, reflecting a philosophy that can destroy civilizations.

As Muslims, we are taught to resist such mentalities.

The Prophetﷺ warned about the dangers of competing over worldly possessions, a disease that could lead to societal downfall. He emphasized that the insatiable hunger for material gains is destructive and that contentment cannot be found in material wealth.

We face a crucial choice between two paths: the pursuit of worldly possessions and the pursuit of knowledge. Contentment and fulfillment are found in seeking knowledge, not in accumulating wealth.

Our decision in this regard will significantly impact society and our personal spiritual growth.

Resist the temptation of greed and focus on spiritual and intellectual pursuits. By choosing the path of knowledge, we contribute to societal betterment and communal harmony, steering clear of the destructive force of greed that threatens civilizations.

Let us heed the wisdom of the Prophetﷺ and strive to purify ourselves from the disease of greed.