By Shaykh Rashid Khan
10 October 2025

﷽ 

One of the most powerful lessons in Islam is that our religion doesn’t deny human nature. It doesn’t ask us to pretend we don’t love things like wealth, family, comfort, or beauty. In fact, Allah acknowledges these things in the Qur’an. But then He reminds us not to make them our purpose.

In Surah al-Kahf, Allah says:

This verse shows us the balance. Yes, money, status, and family are beautiful parts of life, but they’re decorations, not foundations. They’re meant to serve our journey to Allah, not become distractions from it.

A Real-Life Example From the Qur’an

Right before this verse, Allah tells us the story of two men. One had stunning gardens full of fruit, rivers flowing beneath them, and everything he could ever want. But instead of being grateful, he became arrogant. He said, “I don’t think this will ever end.” He even claimed that if there is a Day of Judgement, he would surely get something even better, because he thought he deserved it.

This mindset, thinking we’re untouchable because of what we have now, is what the Qur’an warns us about. It’s not the gardens that was the problem. It was the pride. The sense of entitlement. The forgetfulness of Allah.

Islam Doesn’t Ask Us to Hate the World

Let’s be clear: Islam doesn’t tell us to hate life or live miserably. But it tells us to put things in the right order. Enjoy the beauty of this world, but don’t let it distract you from your duties to Allah, or from caring about your brothers and sisters in the Ummah.

Today, we’re seeing a beautiful awakening. More children are memorising the Qur’an. More young people are returning to the masjid. More adults are learning about their deen. Alhamdulillah, this is a blessing, especially in light of the many hardships the Ummah is facing.

But there’s a warning here too. This return to Islam cannot just be a reaction to pain or crisis. It must be a lasting change.

The Problem With Emotion-Only Islam

Many of us only feel religious when something emotional happens, like seeing a tragedy in the news or hearing a powerful speech. We donate. We make du‘ā. We cry. And then… we forget.

Islam doesn’t want that kind of temporary spirituality. Allah wants consistency. He wants seriousness. He wants us to care not just in the moment, but long after the moment has passed.

Why Have We Become So Lighthearted With Our Deen?

Part of the issue is how we’ve been taught to view religion. Over time, religion has been made into something soft, easy, or even just for fun. It’s been pushed to the side, something personal and private, not something that shapes our lives.

Even the image of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been softened. He’s shown as someone who was always joking, always smiling, always light-hearted. But this isn’t the full picture.

Yes, the Prophet ﷺ smiled. But he also said:

If you knew what I know, you would laugh less and weep more.

[Bukhari and Muslim]

He ﷺ was deeply aware of the seriousness of the Hereafter. He lived a life of sacrifice and responsibility. And we need to follow that example, not a watered-down version of it.

Islam Requires Sacrifice

If we’re serious about our faith, it means we have to sacrifice. Not everything, but something. A little bit of our time. A portion of our wealth. Some of our comfort. That’s what proves sincerity.

Yes, it’s easy to change your profile picture or attend a march. But real solidarity with the oppressed means getting up at night to make du‘a. It means giving quietly, consistently. It means feeling their pain long after the headlines have moved on.

When we can’t even stay up for 10 minutes to pray for our brothers and sisters, we have to ask ourselves: How serious are we really?

We Are Teaching Our Children the Wrong Message

If we don’t fix this, our children will grow up thinking Islam is just about fun events and social media posts. They’ll learn a version of the Prophet ﷺ that doesn’t reflect his sacrifice. And they won’t know how to deal with hardship when it comes.

We have to raise our children, and ourselves, to understand that Islam is not just about happiness. It’s about purpose. It's about worship. It's about doing what Allah commands even when it’s hard.

Allah says:

That means all in. Not half-hearted. Not seasonal. Not only when we feel emotional.

The Real Peace Comes From Putting Allah First

The Prophet ﷺ said:

Whoever makes the dunya his main concern, Allah will scatter his affairs… 
But whoever makes the Hereafter his concern, Allah will enrich him and bring the dunya to him even if he doesn't chase it.

When you chase Allah, the world follows. When you chase the world, you always feel empty.

O Allah, make us people of sincerity. Let us put You first in all that we do. Help us sacrifice for Your sake, and not be caught up in the beauty of this life. Let us be a people who carry concern for the Ummah, even when the world is silent. And let us teach our children the seriousness and beauty of this faith.

Ameen.

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