English Column: Let’s get materialistic (really?)

[image error]                                          source : umarmita of LangitIlahi

 

Now, now, don’t squirm in your seat yet. And there’s no need to adjust your screen too. This is langitilahi.com and this article’s heading says ‘Let’s get materialistic’. Uhuh, it’s true.

Materialistic. Just what do we understand by this short yet quite edgy word that people squint their eyes upon hearing it. What we commonly agree I believe is that, the word brings a negative connotation, a stigma I would say, that you don’t want it to stick on you.

If you are a lady, being tagged ‘materialistic’ would almost sound like a ‘keep away’ sign for men. By normal standards, obviously no man would want to be with a woman branded ‘gold-digger’. If you are a parent, the closest image that might strike on you could be of a dad or mum who leaves his/her kid with a sober face reading that note on the fridge saying; “Heat the pizza if you feel hungry. Mummy and daddy have a business meeting.” And yes, the kid sees the same note almost every day of the week.

Definition

Materialistic is an adjective for the noun materialism, which means

“a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things” (source).

In short, being materialistic, window shopping at the mall will sound more appealing than a night at the mosque, and getting gifts and presents makes your day better than giving them away. To have the chance to possess or at least to be in the vicinity of materials that you love, well if you are materialistic, is a far better prospect than losing them. And this still happen even when you know by heart that ‘what you give, you get back’ and that for each sadaqah you give with sincere intention, you will get a 70-fold reward. It’s sort of amnesia-causing, being materialistic.

The fact is, I bet there is at least a tiny bit of materialistic trace in all of us. The question is, how do we convert that naughty little trait of ours into a more positive sense? And perhaps most importantly, is how to be a spiritually-inclined materialistic person of action?

Rewards and punishments

I grew up in a kampong where ‘hantu’ is still the magic word to keep kids from getting naughty. Putting this aside, alhamdulillah I was also taught of the concept of rewards and punishment, heaven and hell quite early. Well at least this struck a balance on the hantu mumbo-jumbo thingy. I can still remember my mum saying,

“Siapa cakap bohong, nanti lidah dia kena gunting dalam neraka”

(Whoever tells lies will have his tongue cut in hell)

or “Siapa baik nanti mati masuk syurga”

(He who behaves will be in heaven)

Same story when we go to school, the teacher will remind us of the rewards we are sure to get if we become good and the punishments that await should we put a deaf ear (Beware, angels on your right and left are closely watching!).

And so alhamdulillah I grew up to be a not-so-naughty kid who did everything in accordance to my parents’ ‘manual’ and held steadfastly to the notion that ‘I’ll get something in return for everything I do’. I have somehow being trained to become a materialistic servant of God. And I am happy for that.

Motivation

I am materialistic as I want more and more rewards for me, myself and I. I want to get them first and I want them all if I can. I will race to them until I get them. Nu-uh, no kidding this time. Haven’t you heard this,

“For each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.” (2:148)

or this,

“It is these who hasten in every good work, and these who are foremost in them.” (23:61)

I am also materialistic as I see my life as a trade, a transaction with Allah and I want to attain the best returns from it. I don’t want to live an empty, meaningless life. My motivation in living is to live it the fullest and to attain the best. Who else then is better for me to trade my life with? Isn’t Allah the Owner of all and the best Benefactor? Isn’t He, too, the utmost Gracious and Merciful, the one who never fail His promises?

Isn’t He, himself who offers His abounding Grace as a transaction for our faith and service? For my life which values nothing to Him, He promises a guarantee to be saved from Hellfire.

“O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? [It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you should know”

(61:10-11)

I am so sick and materialistic that I want to claim more than I deserve. I believe I can, as I know that Allah always prepares something better for me in return of the deeds that I do. Sometimes, the returns are beyond my imagination.

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (2:261)

“Those who build in the name of Allah a mosque, Allah shall build for him a castle in Jannah”

(narrated by Muslim)

Closing

Having known these bountiful benefits of being materialistic with Allah, I guess there’s no reason for us to act the same with His creations. What can I expect from lowly creatures who in essence, owe everything to their Creator, just like me. Why should I be blinded with the temporary and cheap pleasures of dunya when I can expect and aim higher.

In a positive way, I see that making Allah as my ultimate goal in life, or my object of materialistic hunger should make me a better servant too. I would race for His love and forgiveness every time I can. I would forever reflect on my relation with Him, as I know that I am trading my life with Him (bad PR, bad income, huh?). I would seek for opportunities to get intimate with Him, trading my night sleep on that bouncy queen size bed or my majestic appetite for His smile and nod for more bounties now and in the Hereafter.

If we can all twist that materialistic side inside us to this direction, I guess this life won’t seem like a meaningless, vicious race anymore.

*Stomach growling*

Hey, I am hungry for Jannah. Wanna race for a bite?