In regards to the tradition under discussion...

Rather, it is they themselves who have become corrupt, as the time has not become corrupt!” In other words, people are saying that the transient world has become very bad whereas it is not the world itself that has become bad, rather, it is us who have not made good use of it! The sun shines; the moon reflects the sun's light; the rain falls; the Earth continues to produce its bounties; the person's heart continues to work, etc… - these are all not bad things!

Rather it is humanity who misuses these things. Therefore, the reason why the transient world is denounced by people is because they have used in an incorrect manner. The sword is something bad if it is placed in the hands of Ibne Muljim, however it is good if it is in the hands of Imam ‘Ali (as). In summary, it is the assets, goals, and outcomes of the material world which are the most important things to keep in mind.[^5] [^1]: Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, pg.

187 [^2]: How beautifully has Nasir Khusrow put it, when he said: نكوهش مكن چرخ نيلوفرى رابرون كن زسر باد خيره سرى را برى دان ز اَفعال چرخ برين را نشايد نكوهش، ز دانش برى را چو تو خود كنى اختر خويش را بد مدار از فلك چشم نيك اخترى را به چهره شدن چون پرى كى توانى؟ به افعال ماننده شو مر پرى را اگر تو زآموختن سر نتابى بجويد سر تو همى سرورى را بسوزند چوب درختان بى بر سزا خود همين است مر بى برى را درخت تو گر بار دانش بگيرد به زير آورى چرخ نيلوفرى را [^3]: In Nahj al-Balagha we read that Imam Ali b.

Abi Talib (as) told a person who had dedicated his entire life to worship and had thrown the transient world behind his back that, “You have made an error. For those who are aware and spiritually awake, this material world is a great asset!” After this, he began to explain this issue in the following manner by saying that the world is a “متجر أولياء اللٌّه” or a place of transactions for the intimate friends of Allah (SwT).

In another tradition, the transient world has been compared to field (of the next life) which crops are grown on.