Hawzah News Agency | The Almighty God states in the Holy Quran regarding individuals who forget divine commands yet remain showered with blessings:
«فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُکِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ کُلِّ شَیْءٍ حَتَّیٰ إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُمْ بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْلِسُونَ.»
So when they forgot what they had been admonished of, We opened for them the gates of all [good] things. When they became proud of what they were given, We seized them suddenly, whereat, behold, they were despondent. (6: 44)
Explanation:
Some individuals address believers by saying, "If faith in God and adherence to religious matters lead to the attraction or increase of sustenance and blessings, then how is it that certain people enjoy comfort and affluence in their lives, while they possess neither religion nor faith—and may even act against divine commands?"
The mentioned Quranic verse can serve as a good starting point to address this question.
In this verse, it is stated that some people forget and neglect divine commands. In response, God opens the gates of all blessings to them in order to provide the means for their satisfaction!
There is a narration from the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, regarding this issue, which offers further insight. He states:
«إِذَا رَأَیْتَ اَللَّهَ یُعْطِی عَلَی اَلْمَعَاصِی فَإِنَّ ذَلِکَ اِسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ.»
"If you see that the world is going well for sinners, this is God's gradual entrapment, leading them slowly to destruction." (Tafsir Nur al-Thaqalayn, v. 1, p. 718)
Based on the Quranic verse and the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, it can be concluded that this process of gradual entrapment (istidraj) is one of God's divine traditions (sunnah) and laws. It means that if someone disobeys God, disregards religious commands, and yet enjoys comfort and blessings in life, they should be aware that they are on the path to ruin. And certainly, the comfort they enjoy is not a sign of divine attention or mercy toward them.
Imam Ali, peace be upon him, warns us about this truth in the following way:
«یَا ابْنَ آدَمَ، إِذَا رَأَیْتَ رَبَّکَ سُبْحَانَهُ یُتَابِعُ عَلَیْکَ نِعَمَهُ وَ أَنْتَ تَعْصِیهِ، فَاحْذَرْهُ.»
"O son of Adam! When you see that your Lord continuously bestows blessings upon you while you disobey Him, beware (lest severe punishment awaits you)." (Nahj al-Balaghah, Wisdom no. 25)
From what has been articulated, it becomes clear that prosperity, comfort, and immersion in material blessings are not always signs of divine mercy and attention. On the contrary, they may indicate the withdrawal of mercy from an individual or group. Hence, awareness and familiarity with God's traditions and laws can change our perspective on events and occurrences around us, enabling us to view them consistently from a divine perspective.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The International Service of "Hawzah News Agency"
Your Comment