How to free oneself from worldly attachment?

Dear brothers and sisters, freeing oneself from worldly attachment is one of the deepest and most crucial lessons the Holy Quran teaches us. This does not mean abandoning the world or withdrawing from life, but rather it means not tying our hearts to this fleeting world and its glitter. Instead, we should connect our hearts to the Originator of existence, the Almighty God. The Quran beautifully reveals the truth about this world and the Hereafter, offering practical solutions to achieve inner peace and freedom from material dependence. Let us delve into these invaluable teachings to better understand the path to liberation. The first step on this path is to correctly understand the nature of this world. The Quran repeatedly reminds us that worldly life is transient, perishable, and merely like a game and amusement. In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah says: "Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children – like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the farmers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion." This verse provides a very vivid picture of the instability and impermanence of this world. The world is like a child's game that is enjoyable for a moment and then ends. Is it wise to dedicate our entire being to something that can vanish at any moment? This profound understanding that this world is nothing but a temporary passage is the cornerstone of freedom from attachment. When we know that this life is an opportunity to build an eternal abode, we will no longer become infatuated with its fleeting charms. The second step is to focus on the Hereafter. In contrast to the perishable world, the Quran speaks of an eternal and everlasting Hereafter. Surah Al-A'la, verses 16 and 17, clearly state this priority: "But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more enduring." These verses guide us towards reflecting on the rewards and punishments of the afterlife. When a person becomes certain that every action in this world has a reward or punishment in the Hereafter, their motivation to accumulate excessive wealth or pursue worldly desires diminishes. Focusing on the Hereafter does not mean trivializing worldly life, but rather utilizing the opportunities of this world correctly to earn divine pleasure and build an everlasting dwelling. This perspective changes our view of wealth, status, and fame, transforming them into tools to achieve higher goals, rather than the ultimate end. Third, maintain moderation and make proper use of worldly blessings. The Quran never calls us to completely abandon the world or embrace monasticism. Islam is a religion of life, allowing us to enjoy lawful divine blessings. The key point here is that this enjoyment should not turn into attachment. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 77, we read: "But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." This verse provides a golden rule for a balanced life. We must use the bounties of the world to achieve success in the Hereafter, not to make the world our primary goal. This means working and striving, earning lawful sustenance, and using wealth to help those in need and spread goodness. An individual who is not attached to the world gives from their wealth for the sake of Allah, while an attached person seeks wealth for themselves and for further accumulation. Fourth, strengthen reliance on Allah (Tawakkul) and firm belief in His provision. Many worldly attachments stem from the fear of loss, fear of poverty, or fear of the future. The Quran teaches us that our sustenance is in the hands of Allah, and He is the absolute Provider. "And whoever relies upon Allah – He is sufficient for him." (At-Talaq, verse 3). When a person reaches this certainty that their sustenance is guaranteed and that Allah is the best Disposer of affairs, the anxieties arising from material attachments vanish, and true peace settles in their heart. This reliance does not mean inaction but rather striving while entrusting the outcomes to Allah. Fifth, giving charity (Infaq) and spending in the way of Allah. Giving from what we love is one of the most effective ways to free ourselves from attachment. When a person spends their wealth in the way of Allah, they are essentially teaching their soul that this wealth is not the ultimate goal and that attachment to it should not hinder divine pleasure. This act purifies the heart from stinginess and greed and directs it towards generosity and benevolence. The Quran repeatedly refers to the great rewards of spending in the way of Allah and considers it a profitable investment for the Hereafter. In summary, freeing oneself from worldly attachment is an inner journey that begins with a change in perspective. This journey involves understanding the transience of the world, focusing on the Hereafter, maintaining moderation in enjoying worldly blessings, relying on Allah, and practicing generosity. When our hearts are connected to the eternal God instead of fleeting material things, we will experience a true and unparalleled peace that no amount of wealth or status can bring. This is the path of the prophets and saints; a path that leads to the liberation of the soul and the attainment of eternal bliss. So, let us embark on this luminous path with an awakened heart and strong resolve, freeing ourselves from the shackles of the world so that the bird of our soul may soar in the sky of truth.