Wealth Obsession and Disillusionment: The Teachings of Islam and the Perceptions of Edward Morgan Forster
Main Article Content
Keywords
Wealth Obsession, Disillusionment, Impact of Wealth, Teachings of Islam
Abstract
This article explores the obsession with wealth and the disillusionment it causes through the teachings of Islam and the perceptions of EM Forster. Excessive greed creates an insatiable desire for power and property, leading to unhappiness and conflict. In his essay "My Wood," EM Forster illustrates how property ownership can affect the human mind and the ultimate consequences it entails. Islamic teachings, which also warn of the dangers of wealth obsession, offer a similar perspective. This study shows that many people endlessly chase wealth without understanding their actual needs. If they recognized this limit, they would stop the pursuit. The article concludes that by following Islamic teachings and understanding Forster's insights, individuals can overcome wealth obsession and achieve a peaceful and fulfilling life.
References
Ali, A.Y. (Translated) The Qur’an. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: Amana Publications, 2004.
Ali, I. Quotable Quote. Good Reads, 2013. Accessed July 10, 2021. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/865668-how-strange-and-foolish-is-man-he-loses-his-health
Asad, M. Surah Al-Bqara. The Message of the Qur'an. Cairo: The Book Foundation, 1924.
Avery, P. Christianity and Islam. New Blackfriars, 46(536): 274–278, (1965). http://www.jstor.org/stable/43243855
Awanis, S. There’s no shame in being materialistic – it could benefit society. The Conversation, 2018. Accessed December 30, 2020. Beck, J. People Want Power Because They Want Autonomy. The Atlantic, 2020. Accessed March 25, 2021.
Beer, J. B. EM Forster. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2020. Accessed April 10, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/biography/E-M-Forster
Bhikkhu, T. Dhatu Sutta: Properties (SN 25.9). (Translated) The Tripitaka, 2004. Accessed February 12, 2021.
Brenden, M. OP: We need to stop living in a materialistic world. Western Herald, 2016. Accessed: March 20, 2022.
Burge, M. The Writer’s Block of E. M. Forster. Michael Burge Media, 2015. Accessed March 15, 2021.
Burkeman, O. Bill Gates: I don't want to be world's richest man. The Guardian, 2006. Accessed March 5, 2021.
Cook, F.H. (Translated) BDK English Tripitaka. Berkeley, California, USA: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 1999.
Diener, E. & Biswas-Diener, R. 2008. Happiness: Unblocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Victoria 3053, Australia: Blackwell Publishing.
Dolan, K.A. Forbes World’s Billionaires List. Forbes, 2021. Accessed April 15, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/
Dunn, B. EM Forster. Freedom from Religion Foundation, 2020. https://ffrf.org/ftod-cr/item/36793-e-m-forster
Elias, A. A. Forty Hadith on Knowledge. Faith in Allah, 2019. Accessed June 8, 2023.
Erken, H.G., Francis, L.J. & McKenna, U. 2021. Love for Allah and love for others: exploring the connection between religious affect and empathy among Muslim adolescents in England. Journal of Beliefs & Values 42:2, 223-234, DOI: 10.1080/13617672.2020.1816399
Forster, E.M. “My Woods”. Abinger Harvest. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd, 1936.
Forster, E.M. What I Believe. Two Cheers for Democracy. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd, 1939.
Forster, E.M. The Second Darkness. Two Cheers for Democracy. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd, 1951.
Giddens, A. Capitalism and Modern Social Theory: An Analysis of the Writings of Marx, Durkheim, and Max Weber. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1971.
Haleem, A. M.A. S. (Translated) The Qurʾan: A New Translation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Heighton, S. The Virtues of Disillusionment. Alberta, Canada: Athabasca University, 2020.
Hilali, M. T., Khan, M. M. 1998. (Translated) The Noble Qur'an, The English Translation of the Meanings and Commentary. Madinah, KSA: King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an.
Jackson, R. The Illusion of Wealth. CEO Today, 2019. Accessed January 10, 2021.
Jackson, R. UK ‘has a particularly extreme form of capitalism. BBC News, 2019. Accessed March 11, 2021.
Jetten, J. “The more you have, the more you want”. UQ News. The Queensland University, 2019. Accessed: 27 October 2021.
Junejo, A. 2010. Happiness comes with inner peace, not material goods. The Seattle Times. Accessed February 20, 2021.
Junejo, A. What true happiness is all about worship. Mukilteo Beacon (2014).
Khalilyl, A. (Translated) Jami At-Tirdmidhi, 4. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam, 2007.
Khan, M.M. (Translated) Sahih al-Bukhari ,8. Riyadh-Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 1997.
Kwasniewski, P.A. 1998. Self-Love and the Sin of Avarice. Catholic Education Resource Center. Accessed November 29, 2020.
Laluddin, H., Mohamad, M. N., Nasohah, Z. & Ahma, S. 2012. Property and ownership right from an Islamic perspective. Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences. 6 (7): 1125-1129.
Lama, D. He Sacrifices His Health in Order to Make Money. Live, Love, Simple, 2011. Accessed July 05, 2021.
Mariage, B. OP: We need to stop living in a materialistic world. Western Herald, 2016. Accessed December 20, 2020.
Maslow, A. “A theory of human motivation”. Psychological Review. V. 50, No., 4, pp. 370-96, (1943).
McLeod, S. 2020. Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Simply Psychology. Accessed February 12, 2021. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Nasiruddin, A. (Translated) English Translation of Sahih Muslim, 3. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam, 2007.
Olivia, R. A Study of the causes and effects of Carrie's obsession with material wealth as seen in Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie, 2006.
Patterson, J. Passion: from Covetousness to Moral Pathogen. Representing Avarice in Late Renaissance France. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Pickthall, M.M. (Translated) The Glorious Quran. USA: Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, 2001.
Ploeg, F, and Poelhekke, S. Volatility and the natural resource curse. Oxford Economic Papers, 61 (4). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Steele, D.R. The Failure of Bolshevism and Its Aftermath. The Journal of Libertarian Studies, l (1): 99-111. Alabama, USA: Mises Institute, 1981.
Thompson, K.A. Money Can Make You Happy. Kevin A Thompson (blog), 2014. Accessed January 8, 2021.
Tolstoy, L. How Much Land Does a Man Need? How Much Land Does a Man Need? And Other Stories. England: Penguin Books, 1993.
Turner, S.H. Empires of Objects: Accumulation and Entropy in E. M. Forster's Howards End. Twentieth-Century Literature: 328–345, (2000.).
UKEssays. “Analysis of ‘My Wood’”. English Literature Essay, 2018. Accessed 20 March 2021.
Weisul, K. “How Anyone Can Become Addicted to Money”. Inc, 2014. Accessed February 22, 2021.
Yahya, H. “The urge to accumulate wealth”. Arab News, 2015. Accessed February 22, 2021.
Zohar, D. & Marshall, I. Changing Ourselves to Change the World. Spiritual Capital: We Can Live by. California, USA: Berret-Koehlers, Inc, 2004.
Ali, I. Quotable Quote. Good Reads, 2013. Accessed July 10, 2021. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/865668-how-strange-and-foolish-is-man-he-loses-his-health
Asad, M. Surah Al-Bqara. The Message of the Qur'an. Cairo: The Book Foundation, 1924.
Avery, P. Christianity and Islam. New Blackfriars, 46(536): 274–278, (1965). http://www.jstor.org/stable/43243855
Awanis, S. There’s no shame in being materialistic – it could benefit society. The Conversation, 2018. Accessed December 30, 2020. Beck, J. People Want Power Because They Want Autonomy. The Atlantic, 2020. Accessed March 25, 2021.
Beer, J. B. EM Forster. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2020. Accessed April 10, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/biography/E-M-Forster
Bhikkhu, T. Dhatu Sutta: Properties (SN 25.9). (Translated) The Tripitaka, 2004. Accessed February 12, 2021.
Brenden, M. OP: We need to stop living in a materialistic world. Western Herald, 2016. Accessed: March 20, 2022.
Burge, M. The Writer’s Block of E. M. Forster. Michael Burge Media, 2015. Accessed March 15, 2021.
Burkeman, O. Bill Gates: I don't want to be world's richest man. The Guardian, 2006. Accessed March 5, 2021.
Cook, F.H. (Translated) BDK English Tripitaka. Berkeley, California, USA: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 1999.
Diener, E. & Biswas-Diener, R. 2008. Happiness: Unblocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Victoria 3053, Australia: Blackwell Publishing.
Dolan, K.A. Forbes World’s Billionaires List. Forbes, 2021. Accessed April 15, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/
Dunn, B. EM Forster. Freedom from Religion Foundation, 2020. https://ffrf.org/ftod-cr/item/36793-e-m-forster
Elias, A. A. Forty Hadith on Knowledge. Faith in Allah, 2019. Accessed June 8, 2023.
Erken, H.G., Francis, L.J. & McKenna, U. 2021. Love for Allah and love for others: exploring the connection between religious affect and empathy among Muslim adolescents in England. Journal of Beliefs & Values 42:2, 223-234, DOI: 10.1080/13617672.2020.1816399
Forster, E.M. “My Woods”. Abinger Harvest. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd, 1936.
Forster, E.M. What I Believe. Two Cheers for Democracy. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd, 1939.
Forster, E.M. The Second Darkness. Two Cheers for Democracy. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd, 1951.
Giddens, A. Capitalism and Modern Social Theory: An Analysis of the Writings of Marx, Durkheim, and Max Weber. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1971.
Haleem, A. M.A. S. (Translated) The Qurʾan: A New Translation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Heighton, S. The Virtues of Disillusionment. Alberta, Canada: Athabasca University, 2020.
Hilali, M. T., Khan, M. M. 1998. (Translated) The Noble Qur'an, The English Translation of the Meanings and Commentary. Madinah, KSA: King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an.
Jackson, R. The Illusion of Wealth. CEO Today, 2019. Accessed January 10, 2021.
Jackson, R. UK ‘has a particularly extreme form of capitalism. BBC News, 2019. Accessed March 11, 2021.
Jetten, J. “The more you have, the more you want”. UQ News. The Queensland University, 2019. Accessed: 27 October 2021.
Junejo, A. 2010. Happiness comes with inner peace, not material goods. The Seattle Times. Accessed February 20, 2021.
Junejo, A. What true happiness is all about worship. Mukilteo Beacon (2014).
Khalilyl, A. (Translated) Jami At-Tirdmidhi, 4. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam, 2007.
Khan, M.M. (Translated) Sahih al-Bukhari ,8. Riyadh-Saudi Arabia: Darussalam, 1997.
Kwasniewski, P.A. 1998. Self-Love and the Sin of Avarice. Catholic Education Resource Center. Accessed November 29, 2020.
Laluddin, H., Mohamad, M. N., Nasohah, Z. & Ahma, S. 2012. Property and ownership right from an Islamic perspective. Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences. 6 (7): 1125-1129.
Lama, D. He Sacrifices His Health in Order to Make Money. Live, Love, Simple, 2011. Accessed July 05, 2021.
Mariage, B. OP: We need to stop living in a materialistic world. Western Herald, 2016. Accessed December 20, 2020.
Maslow, A. “A theory of human motivation”. Psychological Review. V. 50, No., 4, pp. 370-96, (1943).
McLeod, S. 2020. Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Simply Psychology. Accessed February 12, 2021. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Nasiruddin, A. (Translated) English Translation of Sahih Muslim, 3. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam, 2007.
Olivia, R. A Study of the causes and effects of Carrie's obsession with material wealth as seen in Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie, 2006.
Patterson, J. Passion: from Covetousness to Moral Pathogen. Representing Avarice in Late Renaissance France. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Pickthall, M.M. (Translated) The Glorious Quran. USA: Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, 2001.
Ploeg, F, and Poelhekke, S. Volatility and the natural resource curse. Oxford Economic Papers, 61 (4). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Steele, D.R. The Failure of Bolshevism and Its Aftermath. The Journal of Libertarian Studies, l (1): 99-111. Alabama, USA: Mises Institute, 1981.
Thompson, K.A. Money Can Make You Happy. Kevin A Thompson (blog), 2014. Accessed January 8, 2021.
Tolstoy, L. How Much Land Does a Man Need? How Much Land Does a Man Need? And Other Stories. England: Penguin Books, 1993.
Turner, S.H. Empires of Objects: Accumulation and Entropy in E. M. Forster's Howards End. Twentieth-Century Literature: 328–345, (2000.).
UKEssays. “Analysis of ‘My Wood’”. English Literature Essay, 2018. Accessed 20 March 2021.
Weisul, K. “How Anyone Can Become Addicted to Money”. Inc, 2014. Accessed February 22, 2021.
Yahya, H. “The urge to accumulate wealth”. Arab News, 2015. Accessed February 22, 2021.
Zohar, D. & Marshall, I. Changing Ourselves to Change the World. Spiritual Capital: We Can Live by. California, USA: Berret-Koehlers, Inc, 2004.
Article Sidebar
Published
May 8, 2024
Article Details
Section
Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.