Islam views man as a creature of double nature, essentially raised up by two major constitutes; a handful of clay, and a blow from the spirit of Allah, in this regard, Allah Almighty says: “[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.” Sad, 71
On one hand, man as originated from clay, he/ she should make the earth prosperous, discover its treasures and resources, and to utilize them for his advantage in order to assume his duties prescribed by Allah to him. In this way, man could subject the material aspect of the earth and use its resources, but he is neither subjected nor used by the earth itself.
This is demonstrated in the following Quranic verses where Allah Almighty says: (O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. And eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear Allah, in whom you are believers.) Al-Maedah, 87,88, (It is He who made the earth tame for you – so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision – and to Him is the resurrection.) Al-Mulk, 15, and (And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.) Al-Jumu`ah, 10,
On the other hand, the spiritual element of man facilitates to him to ascend to heavens, to a better and lasting life.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has been used to moderation and balancing between the affairs of this life and those of the life to come. He, pbuh, always kept invoking Allah by the following supplication as cited in the glorious Quran, (But among them is he who says, “Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.) Al-Baqarah, 201, and it is narrated in Muslim on the authority of Abu-Hurairah that the Prophet said: (O Allah! improve my faith for it saves my affairs, improve my worldly life for in it my sustenance lies and improve my eternal life for towards it is my return, conjoin my life with increase of the good, and my death with relief from all evils.)
The Prophet ate from the good food of this earth and never prohibited it, except for what has been prohibited by Allah, nevertheless, the world life was never his chief concern, and he used to supplicate Allah as saying: (O Allah! let not our greatest sorrows be for worldly affairs, let not our knowledge end in materiality.)
When the Prophet noticed exaggeration from some of his companions as to worship; prayer, fasting, and so on in away encroaching upon the rights of his own body, household, and daily work, he thereby advised them as saying: (Your Lord has a right on you, your soul has a right on you, and your family has a right on you; so you should give the rights of all those who has a right on you.” Related by Al-Bukhari on the authority of Salman
He also said: (indeed, I am the most among you as fearing Allah and in piety to Him; however, I fast and break fasting, pray at midnight and then sleep, and marry women. This is my Sunnah (way of life), as a Muslim denouncing it is not from Me.) related by Al-Bukhari on the authority of `Aishah.
The Prophet warned his companions against the temptations of the worldly life as saying: (by Allah! I never fear poverty inflicts you, but rather I fear the treasure of this world become attainable to you as happened to nations before you, therefore you may vie for these treasures as they, meaning nations before you, exactly did, and finally you thereby will be ruined as they have been ruined too.)
Source: R-Islam
Translated by Ammar
