On the Authority of Al-Hussain ibn Al-Hasan Al-Maroozee who said: I heard ibnul Mubaarak say:
“The people of the dunya exited the dunya before tasting the sweetest of that which is in it. It was said to him, and what is the sweetest of that which is in it?
He said: Ma’rifatu Allah – azza wa jal – (knowledge and awareness of Allah).”
Hilyatul Awliyaa Vol. 3 Page 431
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَزِينَتَہَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيۡہِمۡ أَعۡمَـٰلَهُمۡ فِيہَا وَهُمۡ فِيہَا لَا يُبۡخَسُونَ (١٥) أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَيۡسَ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ إِلَّا ٱلنَّارُۖ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُواْ فِيہَا وَبَـٰطِلٌ۬ مَّا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ (١٦)
Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein.They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do. (Hud: 15-16)
Shaykh Rabee ibn Haadi Al-Madkhalee (Hafidahullah) said:
Some of the Imams said: Indeed, carrying out deeds for the sake of the worldly life is greater [sin] and more dangerous than riyaa [showing off]- because a Muslim can be exposed to riyaa sometimes; as for a person whose habitual [aim] is to [receive] the worldly things and its adornments, then this is grave destruction, and Allaah’s Refuge is sought.
This is a type of shirk [related to the performance of] righteous deeds, which negates ikhlaas [sincerity]. Ibn Abbas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] explained this as: an individual prays, fasts and stands in the night prayer, whilst desiring the worldly [gains] by way of that- desiring status. All of this is [considered to be] worldly goals; If a person intent [is to receive these worldly things] by way of his worship, then indeed he has fallen into a bottomless pit of destruction, and Allaah’s Refuge is sought.
Just as Allaah has threatened nullification of the deeds and [promised] a severe torment for the one who seeks nearness to Allaah outwardly with righteous deeds, whilst desiring the worldly things by way of that.
Therefore, take a severe warning regarding those deeds legislated by Allaah through which nearness to Allaah is sought outwardly, whilst the basis of one’s intent behind those deeds is only [to achieve] those worthless [worldly] goals – because in the Sight of Allaah the worldly life is not even equal to the weight of a mosquitoe’s wing.
Therefore, how can one make the religion a means to an end to receive these goals and lowly objectives.
Likewise, Allah says in other Aayaat -such as in Soorah Ash-Shoora-:
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرۡثَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ نَزِدۡ لَهُ ۥ فِى حَرۡثِهِۦۖ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرۡثَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا نُؤۡتِهِۦ مِنۡہَا وَمَا لَهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ
مِن نَّصِيبٍ (٢٠)
Whosoever desires (by his deeds) the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase in his reward, and whosoever desires the reward of this world (by his deeds), We give him thereof (what is decreed for him), and he has no portion in the Hereafter. (Ash-Shoora: 20)
This Aayah applies to the disbelievers first and foremost, and it applies to the hypocrites and the people of riya [i.e. the show offs], those who do not desire from their deeds and [outward adherence to] Islam, except the worldly things and its adornments, and Allaah’s refuge is sought.
The Aayaat regarding this [affair] are many, which clarify what negates sincerity to Allaah in the Religion, [The Blessed and Most High], in Aqeedah and worship.
Slightly Paraphraaed from Al-Wasaaya Al-Manhajiyyah lish Shaykh Rabee 507-508 (Min Usool I’tiqaad Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah)
Advice of Sufyan Al-Thawree (rahimahullah) to Alee ibn Al-Hasan As-Sulamee:
Your companion should be the one who prevents you from being preoccupied with things of the worldly life that will divert you from Allaah, and one who makes you desire and work for the Hereafter.
Beware of accompanying people who make the dunyah their goal, those who are engrossed in speaking about the worldly life; indeed they will corrupt your religion and your heart.
Remember death much, and seek a lot of forgiveness from what has passed of your sins, and ask Allah for safety for what remains of your life.
Hilyatul Awliyaa Vol. 7 Pg. 82
Muhammad Ibn Seereen said: “I do not envy anyone for some worldly thing; for if he is going to be amongst the people of paradise, then how can I envy him for something of the worldly life, whilst he is destined for Paradise?! And if he is going to be amongst the people of the hell fire, then how can I envy him for something of the worldly life, whilst he is destined for the Hellfire?!”
[Az-Zudh Al-kabeer’ Number 845]
Sheikh Uthaymeen: Competition for the dunyah has destroyed people-as if they were created for that reason and as if it was created for them for that reason.
Source: Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen Cassette number 17
Sheikh Uthaymeen: When a person increases in luxuriousness, his greatest concern is to [indulge] his body in luxuriousness- a body whose final state will be worms and rot. It is as if the human being was not created for a great purpose- the enjoyable things of the dunya are only a means[of fulfilling needs]
Ibn Taymiyyah said: It is befitting that a person utilises wealth in the manner he utilises his donkey for riding [i.e. when he needs it].
Source: Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen Cassette number 17