Reclaiming Creation: How We’ve Lost Our Connection with the Things We Own

Discover how modern materialism has replaced the deep spiritual connection to the things we own. Learn the importance of creating with intention and reclaiming the transformative power of craftsmanship.

In a world of excess, where our possessions often define us and consume us, it can be hard to imagine a life where material things don’t possess our hearts. Yet, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived in a way that shows us a different approach — one where his possessions were treated with respect, intention, and connection. He didn’t just own things — he interacted with them, named them, and imbued them with a sense of purpose.

The Prophet (PBUH) had a profound, energetic relationship with the things around him. He would name his animals, his weapons, his belongings, and treat them with care as part of his spiritual practice. His camel, Qaswa, his sword, Zulfiqar, and even his cloak were not just items, but symbols of a deeper connection with purpose and intention. This act of naming and caring wasn’t about ownership; it was about honoring the purpose of those things in his life.

Contrast this with today’s world, where we are surrounded by possessions, but most of us don’t have any deeper connection to them. We don’t name them, we don’t pause to reflect on their significance or purpose in our lives. Instead, we hoard, accumulate, and form attachments to things that often leave us feeling disconnected, distracted, and overwhelmed. The more we acquire, the less we seem to be connected to any one thing. Our material wealth doesn't ground us; it scatters us.

The Prophet’s Example: Connection Through Simplicity

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) exemplified contentment with simplicity. His possessions were modest, but every item had a sacred role in his life. Whether it was the simple wooden chair he sat on, his cloak that he wore during prayers, or his mule he used to travel — each had a story, a name, and a purpose. His relationship with these items wasn't rooted in pride or ownership, but in deep gratitude and purpose.

By attaching names to his possessions, the Prophet (PBUH) reminded us of the importance of infusing our lives with meaning. His actions teach us that it’s not the number of things we own that matter, but the intent behind them and the energy we invest in them.

Attachment vs. Connection: A Modern Dilemma

In our modern world, we often mistake attachment for connection. We get emotionally tied to our belongings, thinking that owning more will give us a sense of security, happiness, or identity. However, this attachment often leads to clutter in our homes, hearts, and minds.

Attachment leads to constant desire and dissatisfaction. We chase after things, but the more we possess, the more we feel empty and disconnected.

Connection, on the other hand, is about living in harmony with our possessions. It’s about seeing them as tools to serve our purpose in life, not as things to collect or show off. Connection leads to gratitude and peace.

The Lost Art of Creation: Why We’ve Lost Our Spiritual Connection

But what’s at the root of this disconnect? It’s not just materialism or an overall loss of spirituality. At the heart of the problem lies our disconnection from creation itself. In today’s society, we are no longer taught to create; we are taught to consume. We love things, buy things, and hoard things, but we’ve lost the energetic connection to the process of creating.

When we create something — whether it’s a meal, a piece of art, or even a hand-crafted item — we pour ourselves into that act. It requires time, skills, and personal moments of dedication and focus. The energy we invest in creating something meaningful imbues that item with significance. When we take time to make something, we are connected to it in a way that simply buying it never will.

By contrast, when we buy things without any personal input or energy, we lose that connection. The item doesn’t carry with it any of our personal energy, any of the intention or love that comes from creating something with our own hands, hearts, and minds. And this lack of creation is a spiritual void that leaves us feeling disconnected, distracted, and ungrounded.

Reclaiming the Prophetic Approach

How can we reclaim this balance in our own lives?

1. Be intentional with your possessions: Before acquiring something new, pause and ask yourself, “Does this serve my purpose? Does it align with my values and goals?”

2. Name and care for your belongings: Just as the Prophet (PBUH) named his camel, you can name things that are meaningful to you. Whether it’s your favorite book, your car, or your home, infuse it with intention.

3. Let go of unnecessary possessions: Practice regular decluttering, both physically and mentally. This isn’t about getting rid of everything, but about creating a life where your possessions support you — not the other way around.

4. Engage in creation: Whether it’s cooking a meal from scratch, writing, painting, or even sewing, reconnect with the act of creation. Create things with intention and purpose, and let that energy fill the objects you interact with.

5. Simplify: Embrace simplicity in your lifestyle, as the Prophet (PBUH) did. This doesn’t mean living without comforts, but rather living without excess and unnecessary accumulation.

Final Thoughts:

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showed us that true connection with the world around us comes from intention, care, and respect — not from ownership. By reclaiming this approach, we can free ourselves from the overwhelming attachment to material things and instead develop meaningful relationships with the few things that truly serve our higher purpose.

Let’s also remember that by engaging in creation — giving of our time, skills, and personal moments to make things with intention — we reclaim the energetic bond to the world around us. Through creation, we reconnect with the spiritual purpose of the things we own, turning them into tools of growth and gratitude, just as the Prophet (PBUH) did.

Call to Action:

Learn a meaningful skill in the act of creation.
Take the time to master something that requires effort, patience, and focus. Whether it’s cooking, writing, painting, or any other skill, the process of creating something with your hands or mind will reconnect you to your purpose, deepen your relationship with what you create, and bring you closer to a spiritual sense of fulfillment. Reclaim the energy of creation, and begin today.