In the midst of such two different tendencies...

In the midst of such two different tendencies, Islam, out of its comprehensive reformation, came to enact the everlasting law that combines the world and religion and unites the purposes of this life with the spiritual desires in such a high method befitting man’s nature and guaranteeing pleasure and comfort. In some situations, Islam has warned the adorers of this world against its deceptions so that they will be freed from slavery.

In other situations, Islam has brought gradually the extremists who escape the charms of this world near its innocent sweets and pure desires so that they will not withdraw from the caravans of life and become the subject of poverty and humility.

Imam as-Sadiq (a) said: “He who dedicates his worldly life totally to the world to come is not one of us, and he who ignores his world to come for sake of enjoying his worldly life is, too, not one of us[^4].” One of the Imams (a) said: “Work for your worldly life as if you will live forever, and work for the world to come as if you will die tomorrow[^5].” Following this law, the Islamic civilization flourished, and Muslims could find themselves places in the scales of perfection.

In the light of this law, we can conclude the following facts: To have the pleasures and legal desires of this world is not discommended so long as it does not contain a forbidden matter or extravagance: “(Muhammad), ask them, "Who has made it unlawful to maintain beauty and to eat the pure foods which Allah has created for His servants?

They are made for the believers in this world and are exclusively for them in the life hereafter." Thus do We explain Our revelations to the people who have knowledge. (7:32)” Amirul-Mu'minin (a) said: “Know, creatures of Allah, that the God-fearing have shared the joys of this transient world as well as the next coming world, for they shared with the people of this world in their worldly matters while people did not share with them in the matters of the next world.

They lived in this world in the best manner of living and ate the choicest food and consequently they enjoyed herein all that the people with ease of life enjoyed, and secured from it what the haughty and the vain secured. Then, they departed from it after taking provision enough to take them to the end of their journey and after doing a profitable transaction[^6].