Chapter 49

AVIDITY

Avidityisamentalvicethatthe Islamiceducation hastendedtoup-
rootanderadicate.Itssource istheexcessiveengagementintheearthly
affairs,thegreedilycovetingofcollectingmoneyandthecompletenegli-
genceofdeath.The Prophet(s)referredtothisphenomenonbysaying,
"HadsonofAdamhadtwovalleys ofriches,hewould havewishedof
obtainingathird.Nothingfillshisinteriorbutdust."."Richnessisnotthe
abundance of items. It is the self-contentment.".
TheProphet(s)alsowarnedagainsttheexcessiveavidity.Hesaid,"O
people!Calm down in seeking your livelihood. Man will neverobtain
morethanthedecreed,andwillneverleavethisworldbeforereceiving
thedecided.".Imamal-Hassan(a)said,"Avidityistheenemyofmental-
ities. Adam was expelled from the Paradise because of avidity."
Avidityurges unheedinglyonobtaining riches.Man isinconsiderate
that earnings and sustenance are in God's hand that He bestows to
whomeverHedesires andprohibits fromwhomeverHedesires.Man's
excessive endeavors will never change anythingof the limited susten-
ance.IbnZureiqthepoetassuresthismeaning.HeaffirmsthatGodhad
alreadydistributedtheindividuals'earnings;hence,itisnonsensetoex-
ert excessive efforts for gaining and profiting.
Aviditydrawsto many sufferingsandpitfalls, seduces to striveand
workhard,deprivesofrestandsettlement,andarousesgriefandpains.
ThebestwayofgettingridofthisillmanneristhecontentmenttoGod's
decreeandcontemplatingthatthesericheswillsurelyinheritedbyoth-
ers.Hence,iftherichesareill-gotten,thenthesinwillbestucktothecol-
lector while their benefits will be the inheritors'.