Because God created a power of perception in man, unless man seeks knowledge, he will be degraded from his level of humanity to a level that does not suit him. Therefore, if you want the world, you must seek knowledge, and if you want the afterlife, you must seek knowledge as well.
Think of the last time someone gave you a gift—how did you feel? A feeling of joy, love, of being special to the person from whom you received the gift, and sometimes a bit of shame if you feel you didn’t deserve it. Because, in essence, a gift isn’t given in return of anything.
One of Almighty's Beautiful Names is al-Wahhab. The root of this word is hiba, which means a gift. It means that He not only gives gifts once or twice, but He constantly does so. In the Qur’an:
“Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?” (Qur’an, 38:9)
So how do we know when Almighty has given us a gift? Rizq (sustenance) is written for us, but we have to work for it. So if in the course of our efforts, we earn $1 million, that is rizq that Almighty had ordained for us. Hiba, on the other hand, is just that—a gift that was not conditioned upon your efforts. When you get a phone call from someone you love, that you felt you missed—that is hiba. When Almighty brings an amazing person into your life and you are able to improve because of them, that is hiba.
"If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe,” (Qur’an, 14:7). The more we are conscious of Almighty’s gifts to us, the more we are able to increase our love for Him, and recognize how blessed we are.
Moreover, we should use His gifts in His way and in His cause. No one likes for their gifts to be cheapened. If Almighty has given you a gift, do not use it for what He dislikes. If we do that, the gift in question becomes a test that we will be held accountable for. The Giver of All. He who constantly bestows blessings of every kindness. #oneness
