LUXURY: The Arabic Concept of tanaʿum (تنعم)
Definition: Tanaʿum (تنعم) in Arabic refers to indulgences associated with luxury, sumptuous living, opulence, and comfort beyond necessity.
Etymology: The term tanaʿum is derived from the Arabic root “ن ع م” (n-ʿ-m) which resounds in meanings related to comfort, ease, and delight. The word portrays aspects of lavish living.
Background: In Islamic clerical literature, particularly in moral and ethical treatises such as the Akhlāq-i-Jalālī, there are often admonishments against excessive enjoyment of life’s luxuries. The text criticizes the indulgence in comforts like ample sleep, luxurious clothing, and temperature-moderating amenities. Instead, moral fortitude, physical exercise, and skills such as horse-riding are valorized.
Cultural Differences and Similarities:
- Islamic Perspective: Exposure to luxuries is often viewed with caution, as excessive indulgence might lead to moral decay and a departure from spiritual obligations. The Prophet Muhammad emphasized simple living as a virtue.
- Western Perspective: In many Western cultures, luxury can symbolize success, prosperity, and personal achievement, deeply tied with consumerist ideals.
- Comparative View: Different cultures may hold varied attitudes towards luxury, pivoting between symbols of success and cautionary encumbrances on moral life.
Synonyms:
- Opulence
- Extravagance
- Sumptuousness
- Indulgence
Antonyms:
- Asceticism
- Frugality
- Simplicity
- Moderation
Related Terms with Definitions:
- Zuhd (زهد): Asceticism; a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from luxury and indulgence to focus on spirituality.
- Riyāḍa (رياضة): Discipline and physical exercise; stressing the importance of physical training in shaping character.
- Qana’ah (قناعة): Contentment; being satisfied with what one possesses without craving excess or luxury.
Exciting Facts:
- The Islamic architectural legacy highlights simplicity intertwined with elegance, emphasizing moderation even in artistry.
- The Akhlāq-i-Jalālī, penned during the medieval period, remains a critical work offering ethical guidance transcending centuries.
Notable Quotations: “Sleeping in the day and sleeping overmuch at night should be prohibited. Soft clothing and all uses of luxury, such as cool retreats in the hot weather, and fires and furs in the cold, they should be taught to abstain from.” - Akhlāq-i-Jalālī, p. 280
References:
- Akhlāq-i-Jalālī by Sayyid Abdul-Qadir Jilani
- Quranic exegesis on simplicity and luxury
- Hadith compendiums like Riyad as-Salihin
Suggested Literature for Further Studies:
- “Islamic Ethics and Modernity” by Faisal Amin
- “Living with Islamic Values: Asceticism in Context” by Layla Mansoor
- “The Moderation in Islam: Between Myth and Reality” by Haroun Abdullah
Farewell Thought: 🌱💡
“True wealth lies not in possessing lavish comforts, but in mastering the art of simple living, finding joy in moderation, and nurturing a spirit of contentment.”
- Nura Al-Khayat, 2023
