11. THE DISEASE OF INDULGING IN PLEASURES
The most ignorant types of people (Juhhal) are those who indulge in satisfying and fulfilling their lusts (shahawdt) and desires (ladhat). These are of two types; lawful and unlawful. As for the lawful pleasures, it is often they cannot be attained except by transgression and neglecting major parts of religion.
The bit of pleasure shall be accompanied with much shock and distress, and such lawful pleasures are rarely free of disturbance as there are thousands of factors disturbing them.
So, if a person thinks of the fact that such pleasures will vanish and only the distress of it shall remain, he will realise his perception contravenes his desires and so he will endure grief. If he abstains from such pleasures, it will be because he does not wish to endure the expectant and lasting grief for he understands it is a pleasure that may deceive and tempt the youth, and then turn life into an everlasting sorrow.
In spite all that, whoever indulges in his desires is never satisfied; whenever he finishes from one pleasure he seeks another, knowing the shortcoming of the first one and its consequences.
This is a disease (marad) that afflicts the mind {‘aql) and the innate nature (tab), therefore a person in such a state remains like that until death kidnaps him to then be laid down on the garment of regret without being able to make up for what he missed.
I truly wonder at a person with such endeavours while knowing his lifetime is short. He cares not for his Hereafter that contains pure pleasures, complete, everlasting and free of any defect. To draw such pleasures, one should push away these worldly pleasures— for to build up the pleasures of the Hereafter one should neglect the pleasures of this worldly life.
I equally wonder at an intellectual wise person who fails to notice the difference between the pleasures of this life and the pleasures of the Hereafter. As for unlawful pleasures, it will include in addition to the previous mentioned issues, deserving the shame of this life, being exposed in public, receiving the prescribed punishment in this life and the Hereafter and deserving the wrath of Allah.
If lawful pleasures distract one from achieving virtues and good deeds, then what about forbidden pleasures that are ultimate failings?
I ask Allah to grant us an awakening that motivates us to seek what benefits us and keeps us away from our beds (to pray).
He is indeed Most Hearing.
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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