Hoarding

Cont'd from page 3

A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.

So, we need to look at these verses in light of our lives today, while we have a chance to repent and reform. Hoarding is not just material things, money or property. There are many different aspects of it. What do we really want to get in this world? Clearly people like to get things; it can become a preoccupation. Getting things is not the problem; it’s getting the right things.

Hoarding for believers—what we really want to gather—are our righteous deeds. The things that go with us into the next life. Get us a higher station in Heaven. Get us closer to God. Those are the things we want to gather and hold onto. They aren’t physical in this world. It’s not like what most people want to hoard—they’re preoccupied with having the most money, or the best waterfront property, or your attention and adoration. These things all stay here in this world.

What do we put value in? If we see the world for what it is, property and luxuries are nice and should be appreciated. But they aren’t something that’s ours; they’re gifts from God. If you have the mindset that “I need” or “this is mine,”

that’s when hoarding becomes a negative preoccupation. If you have the mindset of “this is from God,” and truly live like that, then the hoarding doesn’t take hold. You understand that God is in control, and He can take it away or give us more. And you understand the significance of [14:7] Your Lord has decreed: “The more you thank Me, the more I give you.” But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.

Hoarding is excessive and selfish. And God shows us here that the way to get more is to be unselfish.

Sura 102 says that the selfish, arrogant people who hoarded until they went to the graves, will find out then how they destroyed their souls in the process. And God says they’ll see for certain. And if they could see that for certain now in this world, they would be behaving very differently. But they are blinded by their lust for things. The certainty will come at the end of their lives, but that’s not the time for changing anything. Their record is complete.

And then God says they will be questioned about all the blessings. “Where did they come from?” “What did you do with them?” Blessings are a great gift from God, whether big or small.

May God help us to be aware of all our blessings, to be appreciative of where they come from, and to use them wisely.

[16:18] If you count GOD’s blessings, you cannot possibly encompass them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[17:87] This is but mercy from your Lord. His blessings upon you have been great.

Kenan