Envying the glamorous life

As the consequence of being bombarded by materialism through the mainstream media, we are often tempted with all the glamour and glitter that it offers us. From the lifestyle of rich CEO's, Hollywood actors, athletes, political figures, and others, we are convinced to think that their lives are THE lives that we want.

Surrounded by an overwhelming amount of money, beautiful people, exotic food, expensive gadgets and cars, and many other materialistic pleasures, we are made to aspire and envy the lives that they have. Forget about all their unsuccessful marriages, misusage of alcohol and drugs, and even the depression (which often leads to suicide or death) that goes along with it. Their lives are the lives we should want (says the people who are in control).

And unfortunately, we fall into the traps that are sprung. We become milk cows of the ones who are pulling the strings. We think the way they want us to think. And as the consequence, we consume the things that they want us to consume, use the brands they want us to use, and in order to keep us constantly asleep / in delusion, they keep serving us with empty dreams through all the media they control, whether it be by TV, magazines, internet, etc.

It's interesting how human psychology has stayed the same over the millennia. This envy towards richness and comfort is most definitely not a new thing. In the Qur’an, it is told about the story of Qarun. He was amongst the people of the Prophet Moses (AS). He was blessed by God to have immense amount of wealth, so much so that the weight of the keys to his depositories alone would be a burden for several able bodied men.

Qarun had a glamorous life, similar to of those who are in the media that we see. He was also boastful and arrogant with what he had, claiming it was not from God, but rather was a result of his own wits, ability and hard work. Of course, this is not true, as everything is a blessing from God, which is given to us as a test to show whether we can be grateful or not. Qarun forgot that everything he had, his wealth, his hands, his health, his body, his abilities, his will, his life, and everything that he can think of, is a blessing from God.

Many people were envious to what he had, and wished to have the same. However, the people of knowledge were able to see beyond the wealth and riches, and reminded the people that everything that one has, including wealth, is not beneficial in any way if not used for the sake of God (to seek rewards for the next life).

Eventually the earth swallowed Qarun along with his riches, and none of his efforts and wealth were able to save him from what happened. The people then realized their mistaken way of thinking. It is God who distributes wealth and gives it to whomever He wants, and we should be grateful with whatever we have.

Being envious to people who are living glamorous lives is a disease that we must try to get rid of. There is no harm in being wealthy. In fact we should work hard to be able to provide for others and ourselves. By being wealthy, we could have opportunities to help others. What’s important is not to make the wealth and glamour itself as our end goal. Our goal should be God’s pleasure. And by His will, through all our wealth and efforts, we will be admitted to a place where we will definitely live a glamorous life (for eternity). May God make us people who use our wealth for His sake and strive to do goodness throughout our lives.