(55) Chapter: Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Do not crave for property lest you should be absorbed in the desire of worldly life." [At- Tirmidhi] Commentary: The word "Dai`ah'' translated here as "property'' means land, industry, agriculture or business. One should not be so engrossed in them to the extent that, they become the sole purpose of one's life and all one's efforts are exhausted to acquire them, thus forgetting all about the Hereafter. To the extent of one's genuine needs and selfsufficiency, making and maintaining of property, land, industry, agriculture and commerce come in permissible acts. None of them is forbidden provided the means employed for making and maintaining them are fair and do not distract one's attention from Allah and the Hereafter.