The Art of Desire Management

The Art of Desire Management A ll men and women are driven by their desires. But they die without fulfilling them. It is this gap between desire and its fulfilment that causes frustration. In spite of every effort, every person dies with the feeling that he has failed to achieve his goal in this world. Now the question is: how to rescue people from this undesirable state? The solution set forth in the Quran is very simple and very practical: in the present, try to live a need-based life and leave the fulfilment of your desires for the future, that is, the world hereafter. There are two relevant verses in the Quran. In one of these, addressing people, God Almighty says: He has given you all that you asked of Him; and if you try to reckon up God’s favours, you will not be able to count them. Truly man is very unjust, very ungrateful. (14:34) This verse means that the present world was made not to fulfil all desires, but to provide all that you need for a livelihood. So one must begin thinking according to this divine plan. While living in this world, one should aim for a state of contentment. The formula of contentment is the only workable formula in this world. It has been rightly said that nature provides everything according to man’s need, but not according to his greed. Contentment is the only viable formula in that it can give everyone peace and tranquility. If you live with simplicity and lead a necessity-based life, then that will give you instant happiness. Whereas an artificial life creates all kinds of problems, a natural life gives you a problem-free life and also guarantees good health.