Do not look at the Enjoyment of the Wealthy, be patient in the worship of Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says,

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَى مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ...

And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them, the splendor of the life of this world, that We may test them thereby.

But the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.

Allah, the Exalted, says to His Prophet Muhammad, "Do not look at what these people of luxury and their likes and peers have of nice comforts. For verily, it is only short-lived splendor and a feeble bounty, which We are using to test them with. And very few of My servants are truly thankful.''

Mujahid said, أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ (various groups of them),

"This means the wealthy people.''

This means, "Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad) better than that which We have given them.''

This is just as Allah says in another Ayah,

وَلَقَدْ ءاتَيْنَـكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْءَانَ الْعَظِيمَ

لاَ تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ

And indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven repeatedly recited verses, and the Grand Qur'an. Look not with your eyes ambitiously. (15:87-88)

Likewise, that which Allah has stored for His Messenger in the Hereafter is something extremely great. It is an unlimited reward that cannot be described.

This is as Allah says,

وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَى

And verily, your Lord will give you so that you shall be well-pleased. (93:5)

For this reason, Allah says,

... وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى ﴿١٣١﴾

But the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.

In the Sahih it is recorded that;

Umar bin Al-Khattab entered upon the Messenger of Allah while he was in the small room in which he had separated himself from his wives after he had vowed to stay away from them. When he came in, he saw him (the Prophet) lying down upon a sandy straw mat. There was nothing in the house except a pile of sant tree pods and some hanging equipment.

Umar's eyes filled with tears (upon seeing this), so the Messenger of Allah said to him,

مَايُبْكِيكَ يَا عُمَرُ؟

What makes you cry, O Umar?

He replied, "O Messenger of Allah, verily Kisra and Caesar are living in their luxurious conditions, yet you are the chosen Friend of Allah amongst His creation!''

The Prophet said,

أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟

أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا

Do you have doubt, O son of Al-Khattab?

Those people have had their good hastened for them in the life of this world.

Thus, the Prophet was the most abstinent of people concerning worldly luxuries, even though he had the ability to attain them. If he acquired anything of worldly treasures he would spend it on this and that for the servants of Allah. He would never save anything for himself for the next day.

Ibn Abi Hatim reported from Abu Sa`id that the Messenger of Allah said,

إِنَّ أَخْوَفَ مَا أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ مَا يَفْتَحُ اللهُ لَكُمْ مِنْ زَهْرَةِ الدُّنْيَا

Verily, the thing I fear most for you all is what Allah will allow you to acquire of the splendor of this world.

They (the Companions) said, "What is the splendor of this world, O Messenger of Allah?''

He said,

بَرَكَاتُ الْأَرْض

The blessings of the earth.

Qatadah and As-Suddi said,

"The splendor of this worldly life means the beautiful adornments of the life of this world.''

Qatadah said, لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ (that We may test them thereby),

"So that We may put them to trial.''