Whatever things you have been given are only the [short-lived] enjoyment of the life of this world and an ornament thereof…He said:Whoever takes [something] from the world out of his own lust for it, will find that God deprives him of what is better than it both in this world and the Hereafter. Whoever takes from it [the world] out of a necessity [that arises] within himself or to fulfil a duty that is required of him, will not be deprived of what is better in this world, namely, the joy of worship (ʿibāda) and thelove of God, Mighty and Majestic is He, and in the Hereafter of the highest ranks (al-darajāt al-ʿulā). Someone said to ʿĀmir b. ʿAbd al-Qays, ‘You have contented yourself with just a little from this world.’ He replied, ‘Shall I not inform you of someone who has contented himself with even less than myself?’ [Those present] said, ‘Please do!’ He answered, ‘He who has contented himself with having his share of this world in the Hereafter!’ His words: