Is excessive desire always reprehensible?

In the rich and profound teachings of the Holy Quran, the concept of 'excessive desire' or 'greed' is examined with particular nuance and precision. The answer to whether excessive desire is always reprehensible is more complex than a simple yes or no, as the Quran distinguishes between different types of desires and inclinations. Generally, the Holy Quran strongly condemns excessive desire and greed that leads to injustice, oppression, heedlessness of God, trampling on the rights of others, and excessive attachment to worldly life. This type of excessive desire is considered a root cause of many social and individual corruptions. One of the most prominent examples of blameworthy excessive desire in the Quran is humanity's insatiable craving for worldly wealth and power. In Surah At-Takathur (102:1-2), Allah states: "Competition in worldly increase diverts you until you visit the graveyards." This verse clearly illustrates how excessive desire for accumulating wealth, children, and fame can distract a person from their primary purpose of creation and the remembrance of God, trapping them in an endless worldly race until death. Similarly, in Surah Al-Fajr (89:20), we read: "And you love wealth with immense love." This excessive love of wealth, not as a means to achieve divine goals but as the ultimate end of life, is reprehensible from the Quran's perspective. The Quran also forbids greed and covetousness that lead to envy and competition with others. In Surah An-Nisa (4:32), it is stated: "And do not covet that by which Allah has preferred some of you over others." This verse explicitly prohibits the desire to possess what others have, in a way that leads to dissatisfaction with divine allocation and envy. Such excessive desire stems from a lack of contentment and acceptance of divine decree, destroying inner peace and sowing seeds of resentment in social relationships. Furthermore, extravagance and wastefulness, which are forms of excessive desire in consumption, are censured in the Quran. Allah explicitly prohibits extravagance in several verses, such as Surah Al-An'am (6:141) and Al-A'raf (7:31): "And eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess." This type of excessive desire not only harms the individual but also wastes resources and infringes upon the rights of others. On the other hand, the Quran does not condemn, but rather encourages, desires and inclinations that lead to human growth and perfection, serving humanity, and drawing closer to God. This type of 'excessive desire' is, in fact, 'positive ambition' or 'competing in good deeds.' For instance, the eagerness for knowledge is a great virtue. In Surah Taha (20:114), Allah instructs His Prophet: "And say, 'My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'" This is a form of excessive desire, but it is a desire for goodness and virtue, which is divinely approved and encouraged. Similarly, the desire for righteous children and a virtuous spouse, or the inclination to earn lawful sustenance and increase wealth to help the needy and advance divine goals, are among the legitimate and even praiseworthy desires. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201), we read: "And among them are those who say, 'Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'" This verse shows that seeking goodness and beauty in this world, as long as it is accompanied by seeking the goodness of the Hereafter and does not divert a person from the path of truth, is commendable. The Quran also encourages Muslims to compete in performing good deeds and acts of charity. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:48), it states: "So compete in good deeds." This competition is a type of 'excessive desire' for attaining virtue and closeness to Allah, which is not only not reprehensible but is indeed praised. Therefore, the criterion for reprehensibility or praiseworthiness of excessive desire in the Quran is not the mere act of wanting more, but rather its direction, intention, means, and outcome. If wanting more leads to departing from moderation, violating the rights of others, forgetting God and the Day of Judgment, or becoming immersed in material pleasures, it is reprehensible. However, if this inclination is aimed at acquiring virtues, scientific advancement, serving humanity, and ultimately achieving divine pleasure, it is not only not reprehensible but is desirable and encouraged. Islam is a religion of moderation and seeks for humans to strike a balance between this world and the Hereafter, and between their material and spiritual needs. The reprehensible excessive desire is that which upsets this balance and distances a person from the path of servitude and the primary purpose of creation.