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Can We Seek Comfort And Pleasure As A Goal In This Life?
For example, I want to strive hard to ultimately settle off grid, somewhere nice in English countryside, away from the hustle and bustle and just enjoy a slow, organic life.
Of course all of this is achievable without violating any terms of Islam. But am I allowed to peruse this as a goal?
I ask because this life is a test and any action that yields comfort or coziness seems like a luxury and causes a lot of guilt, like there are people in the world who are struggling to put food on the table and here you want to cozy yourself in some calm English countryside, kindly help me clear my thinking in this regard.
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3 Replies
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Can We Seek Comfort And Pleasure As A Goal In This Life?
updated 1 year ago
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As a principle: All wordly matters are permissible unless explicitly prohibited in Islam and all religious matters are prohibited for which no basis is available in Quran or Sunnah. Striving for a better life or a life of comfort is a secular pursuit and there is no prohibition for this pursuit available in Quran and Sunnah. Instead, Quran supports this idea of aiming for a better and luxurious life and calls the pursuit of wealth as “Khair” & “Blessing of Allah” (Please see: Discussion 64765). And there is no harm if one strives to achieve a better life with the intention to ease the test of this world, the test will be there but aiming and praying for ease in that test is not against the scheme of tests and trials in this world (Please see: Discussion 61503 • Reply 61511).
And from a holistic view, living a better life does not affect the overall test of this world, the scheme of tests and trials instituted by God in this world encompasses everyone and everywhere, no matter their social stature, some from one dimension and others from another — every one will go through this test nevertheless. A person living a life of luxury might feel ease from the test from one dimension but might face another test from a second dimension.
This kind of thinking has every potential to take one to the level of asceticism which goes against the teachings of Islam. Among Sahaba, Abu Zar Ghaffari (rta) chose this lifestyle which other Sahaba criticized and he was aksed to live in the outskirts of Medina in accordance with his chosen lifestyle (Please see: Discussion 89044).
But all of this should be done within ethical bounds with Tazkiya as ultimate goal with accountability of Qiyamah in mind.
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Please also watch:
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Thank you so much for the detailed reply, kindly also shed some light on whether one should feel guilty if they are having fun or a normal life when Like people in Gaza are going through the worst, it feels like donating and praying isn’t enough and that more is expected of us by Islam in this regard.
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This should be seen from two different domains:
Domain of a Muslim Government:
A muslim government can declare Jihad. Jihad becomes obligatory (subject to other conditions of Jihad) on a Muslim state when Muslims from another place are being persecuted because of their religion (as per Quran 4:75). However, there are other conditions defined in Quran for Jihad to become obligatory (Please see: Discussion 54856). Also, Quran has stated that no such Jihad can take place with a nation with whom lies a contract unless that Muslim government gets out of that contract openly in the public and declares war against that nation (as per Quran 8:72).
This requires a very careful and honest analysis before taking any action or making any declaration at state level.
Domain of both Common Muslims and a Muslim State:
Common muslims like us, in addition to praying for Gaza can enagage in other non-war like activities like supporting the innocent people being oppressed through donations and other means including but not limited to, peaceful protests, urging the relevant governments to take more measures like diplomatic measures etc etc. However, a common muslim is not burdened with responsibility of Jihad which is sole domain of representatives of the collective society of Muslims. A common muslim only has responsibility to help the needy, poor and the oppressed when he has resources to do so and in a position to do so as well.
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Please also refer to the video below from 00:58 to 8:35
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