23/08/2025
The Furnace of Compulsive Materialism
A Reflection on Surah al-Hajj (22:11)
When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions migrated from Makkah to Madinah, they were faced with a severe test. The climate of Madinah was strange and unsuitable. Many companions fell ill, and life became extremely difficult. Aishah (RA) later recalled that, at first, Madinah felt like the hardest place on earth to live.
The Prophet ﷺ described Madinah as being like a furnace. He prayed for relief, and soon after, he saw a dream of a strange woman leaving the city. He explained that this dream symbolized the departure of hardship. Indeed, from then on, the weather of Madinah became more bearable and life easier for the believers.
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From the Furnace of Climate to the Furnace of Materialism
That was the test of the early Muslims: enduring a harsh environment and remaining steadfast. But today, we face a different kind of furnace—not one of climate, but of compulsive materialism.
In our modern age, the drive to accumulate wealth and live in luxury has become the dominating obsession. People want to live like royalty, to possess more, to achieve more. But in doing so, many embody the warning of Surah al-Hajj 22:11:
“And among mankind is he who worships Allah upon the edge. If good befalls him, he is content with it; but if a trial befalls him, he turns on his face…”
Like those half-hearted worshippers described in the verse, many today give only token attention to faith—perhaps a donation to a madrasa or mosque—but their real devotion is consumed by the pursuit of wealth.
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The Deceptive Test of Our Age
The challenge of compulsive materialism is subtle, deceptive, and hard to recognize. Unlike the furnace of Madinah’s climate, which was obvious and visible, today’s furnace quietly consumes the heart. It promises comfort, status, and pleasure, but in reality, it erodes sincerity, commitment, and the spirit of sacrifice.
This is why it is so dangerous. A believer can easily mistake material success for divine blessing, forgetting that the real test lies in how we balance worldly means with spiritual goals.
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A Timeless Warning
Every age has its tests. For the Prophet ﷺ and his companions, it was the climate of Madinah. For us, it is the fire of materialism. The Qur’an warns us not to worship God “half-heartedly,” swaying between faith and worldly desires.
To pass this test, we must strengthen our awareness of Allah, nurture sincerity in our worship, and protect our hearts from being consumed by greed.
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A Du‘a for Our Times
May Allah help us recognize the furnace of compulsive materialism for what it is—a test of faith. May He grant us clarity to see beyond deceptive comforts, strength to remain steadfast, and sincerity to worship Him with full hearts.
✨ True success lies not in wealth, but in devotion. Not in luxury, but in steadfastness. Not in compulsive materialism, but in wholehearted faith.
Author – Fayazuddin Umeri
