One Hundred And Fifty Lessons For Life
Lesson Forty Five: World Is Not The Final Purpose, Rather It Is A Means
Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said:
اَلدُّنْيا خُلِقَتْ لِغَيْرِها وَ لَمْ تُخْلَقْ لِنَفْسِها
Translation
World is created for another purpose, not for itself. [^1]
Brief Description
People sometimes have difficulty comprehending the nature of this world . They find one set of interpretations of verses and speeches commending the world and its material tools , introducing it as a house of commerce or farm of saints . And then they find verses and speeches blaming it and calling it dangerous, deceptive and source of conceit .
The above tradition clarifies the issue succinctly indicating that when the world and its material tools are used as a means of attaining human development and justice and prosperity for all, it is to be valued and commended. But when it is considered as an end in itself , just for immediate and inordinate fulfillment of desires, with no higher purpose, and causes rebellion, conceit and obstinacy, it becomes hateful and dangerous.
[^1]: Safinat’ul-Bihar, Bihar Al-Anwar vol70, page 133, Sharh Nahj Albalagha, vol 20, page 181, Nahj Albalagha page 557