Looks or Money?

We might have heard this saying before, when it comes to attraction of the opposite sex, guys would go for looks and ladies would go for wealth or money. Of course, Islamically and ethically, this shouldn’t be the ideal case. In Islam it is clearly stated that the deen (religion) should be main criteria when looking for a spouse. Easier said than done though.

Somehow, this matter reminds me of a discussion in a course I attended years ago. It was organized by Al Maghrib Institute and the instructor was Sheikh Riad Quarzazi. He was addressing the importance of giving the benefit of the doubt (ظن حسن). He narrated a scenario for us female participants to relate to. 

“Let’s say there’s a guy who looks humble and pious. He came out of the masjid and walked to a posh car for example, Ferrari. What would you think of him? Would you marry him?”

I believe the Sheikh meant to make the guy seems like a bad person, as if he was getting money from unIslamic sources for being able to buy such expensive car.

However, as soon as Sheikh finished his question, I could hear a chorus (not so loud though, it’s an Islamic event after all :)), answering, “Yes!” Me included, (grinning). I’m sure, to us ladies, the guy sounds like a perfect package: a masjid goer with Ferrari. Oh well, I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry. What a reaction.

Indeed, the temptations of this dunya (world) are so hard to resist. May Allah give us strength to avoid being attached to this temporary world, aameen.

From the Holy Quran:

“And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability. (Al-Kahfi, 18:45)