Is this true worship?
We the people of the 21st century are really amazing. We do exactly the opposite of what intelligent beings would do.
When what is needed is really more of worship and less of show, we do just the opposite.
We are living at a time when there is a surfeit of problems, shortage of money and food. Instead of being frugal and practical in our ways, what do we do? We build larger places of worship.
The other day we received an appeal to build a mosque in a very poor village the cost of which had been worked out to millions. When we went through the estimate we found that the exorbitant cost was due to imported marble tiles for the floor and ornamental pillars etc. being included in the plan.
A place of worship should be simple, devoid of unnecessary ornamentation, be functional and beautiful. It is amazing why our people do not think of this. This is due to their anxiety to show off. The Quran has the following to say about this type of behaviour.
"The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things), until ye visit the graves.
But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).
Again, ye soon shall know!
Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (Ye would beware!)
Ye shall certainly see Hell Fire!
Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!
Then shall ye be questioned that day about the joy (ye indulged in)!
— (Sura 102 )
It is a matter of who builds the larger mosque or more ostentatious one. We see this among the followers of other religions too. Recently there was an article on carving the largest Buddha statue, and another article about installing a golden protective fence for a statue.
Buddhism too, like Islam frowns upon ostentation; but who cares?
When all the money spent on ostentatious buildings could profitably be spent on educating, feeding, clothing and housing the people, we the most intelligent beings on earth, choose to do otherwise.
Is there any wonder then, there is unending suffering in this world?
Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai
Dehiwela
We the people of the 21st century are really amazing. We do exactly the opposite of what intelligent beings would do.
When what is needed is really more of worship and less of show, we do just the opposite.
We are living at a time when there is a surfeit of problems, shortage of money and food. Instead of being frugal and practical in our ways, what do we do? We build larger places of worship.
The other day we received an appeal to build a mosque in a very poor village the cost of which had been worked out to millions. When we went through the estimate we found that the exorbitant cost was due to imported marble tiles for the floor and ornamental pillars etc. being included in the plan.
A place of worship should be simple, devoid of unnecessary ornamentation, be functional and beautiful. It is amazing why our people do not think of this. This is due to their anxiety to show off. The Quran has the following to say about this type of behaviour.
"The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things), until ye visit the graves.
But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).
Again, ye soon shall know!
Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (Ye would beware!)
Ye shall certainly see Hell Fire!
Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!
Then shall ye be questioned that day about the joy (ye indulged in)!
— (Sura 102 )
It is a matter of who builds the larger mosque or more ostentatious one. We see this among the followers of other religions too. Recently there was an article on carving the largest Buddha statue, and another article about installing a golden protective fence for a statue.
Buddhism too, like Islam frowns upon ostentation; but who cares?
When all the money spent on ostentatious buildings could profitably be spent on educating, feeding, clothing and housing the people, we the most intelligent beings on earth, choose to do otherwise.
Is there any wonder then, there is unending suffering in this world?
Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai
Dehiwela
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