So the wholesome goods and pleasures of this world are an excellent aid to anyone whose pursuit is truly for Allah and the Abode of the Hereafter, whose aspiration is directed toward what lies there. By the same token, they are a wretched barrier to the one who makes them his aim, his ambition, and the theme around which his life revolves.
Conversely, being denied those enjoyments during this life is itself a fine support for the seeker of Allah and the Hereafter, yet a miserable severance for the one who pulls away from Allah and the life to come.
Whoever takes the benefits of this world in a way that does not diminish his portion of the Hereafter will gain them both; otherwise, he will forfeit them both.
Glory be to Allah, Lord of all worlds!
If shunning sins and acts of disobedience yielded nothing but the preservation of one’s dignity, the safeguarding of honour, the maintenance of one’s social standing, the protection of the wealth that Allah has appointed as a prop for the interests of both world and afterlife; the love of people, their readiness to accept one’s word, the soundness of one’s livelihood, bodily ease, strength of heart, good-spiritedness, delight of soul, openness of breast, safety from the fears inspired by the dissolute and the wicked, scant worry, grief, and sorrow; self-respect that refuses to bear humiliation; the guarding of the heart’s light from being extinguished by the darkness of sin; a ready way out of straits that confine the impious and licentious; provision delivered from unforeseen quarters; the easing of matters that remain hard for the people of rebellion; lightness in performing acts of obedience; facility in acquiring knowledge; a good name among people; their plentiful prayers for one; the radiance that settles upon one’s face; the awe cast into their hearts on one’s account; their championing and zeal when one is harmed or wronged; their defence of one’s reputation whenever a backbiter attacks; the swift answering of one’s supplication; the removal of estrangement between oneself and Allah; the nearness of the angels and the distance of devils, human and jinn alike; people’s competing to serve one and to attend to one’s needs, their eager courting of one’s affection and companionship; and the absence of any fear of death—indeed, the gladness of meeting one’s Lord—then that alone would be more than enough incentive to abandon sin.