If relationships become about self-interest, where will loyalty come from?
By: Khama Bakaf Muhammad Aadil Arriyavi
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The human of today's era stands at a strange crossroads; everyone is in a race for wealth. People are busy earning as much money as possible. The importance of relationships is decreasing, and the value of material things is increasing. Man has made wealth the purpose of life but has put great blessings like love, sincerity, empathy, and purity behind him. That is why distances are increasing in hearts today, peace is disappearing from homes, and relationships are limited to self-interest.
In the olden days, people loved each other immensely despite having fewer resources. There was sincerity in relationships; neighbors took care of each other; family members shared each other's sorrows and joys. But today, man has considered money everything. Now, friendship is done by looking at wealth, relationships are made by looking at status, and respect is often weighed in the scales of wealth.
It is a matter of regret that the love of wealth has made man selfish. People have started trampling on the feelings of others for their own benefit. Brothers are separating from brothers, children are moving away from parents, and love has been limited to words, although money is certainly a necessity of life, but the peace and real happiness of life are in love, sincerity, and good morals.
Islam has always taught moderation. Earning a lawful livelihood is worship, but keeping wealth in the heart and giving it preference over relationships is a cause of destruction and ruin. Our beloved Prophet, peace be upon him, declared love, brotherhood, maintaining kinship ties, and serving humanity as signs of faith. If a person only engages in accumulating wealth and forgets the rights of others, then how will love remain in hearts?
Today, we all need to purify our hearts from the blind love of wealth, value relationships while we are alive, and treat our parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors with love and goodwill because money can provide temporary comfort, temporary peace, but true peace is only obtained through love, sincerity, and good relationships.
Remember, in a society where people become about money, love begins to die, and where sincerity is alive in hearts, there is peace and happiness even in poverty.
May Allah Almighty grant us all correct understanding. Amen, Lord of the Worlds.