The root is the human being himself...

The root is the human being himself, while the branches and margins are his attachments such as wealth, status, spouse, children and relatives. Due to the love human beings have for themselves and their attachments, they are connected to two scourges: distress and fear; distress over what he does not have and fear of losing what he does have.

Faith in Allah eliminates these two scourges from their roots, because faith in Allah, the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise, the Most Merciful, makes the human being rise to his duties. When he performs his duties as a servant to his Lord, he knows that Allah, the Exalted, due to His wisdom and mercy, will make him reach what is good and prosperous for him, and He will save him from what would result in evil and regret.

All realities are metaphors when compared to the absolute reality, like a mirage which seems like water to the thirsty. When the human being finds the absolute reality, he will not miss anything. His faith becomes: What is with you passes away and what is with Allah is enduring. [^3] He does not find in himself any attraction for the worldly debris, to distress over not having something or fear for its decline: Now surely the friends of Allah—they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.

Those who believe and guard (against evil): They shall have good news in this world's life and in the hereafter; there is no changing the Words of Allah; that is the mighty achievement. [^4] In this worldly life, the cause of nervous breakdowns in human beings is anxiety from the pleasure in conquering materialistic desires, and the fear and regret of not reaching them.

The only thing that gives peace to human beings in the waves of this flood is the faith in Allah: So that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you [^5] Those who believe and whose hearts are set at rest by the remembrance of Allah; now surely by Allah's remembrance are the hearts set at rest. [^6] Effect of Religion on Social Life The human being possesses the two faculties of desire and anger.

If the faculty of desire of wealth overcomes him, then the treasures of the earth will not satisfy him. Even more, if the desire of status and power overtakes him, then even ruling the whole of the earth will not satisfy him. In fact, he will aspire to extend his sovereignty to other stars: And Fir’awn said: O Haman!