WEALTH- An Introduction
Wealth, along with all other blessings, is from Allah. This is mentioned clearly in the Qur’an. “…And if ye fear poverty soon will Allah enrich you if He wills out of his bounty for Allah is All-Knowing All-Wise.” [9:28]Allah is described in one prayer in the Qur’an as:“…and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest without measure." [3:27]Indeed,“Gracious is Allah to His servants: He gives Sustenance to whom He pleases: and He has Power and can carry out His Will.” [42:19]
So all creatures, great or small, rely upon Allah for their Rizq:“There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance dependeth on Allah: He knoweth the time and place of its temporary deposit: all is in a clear Record.” [11:6]
Not only is the Rizq that a person will earn written on the Lawh al-Mahfuz , it is also written when a person is in womb of his or her mother. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, while describing the process of conception,“… then the angel comes to it (embryo), and writes down the length of his life, his deeds, (the amount) of his sustenance, and Whether he will be wretched or happy (in the Hereafter).[Al-Bukhari (6/303)]So all of a person’s wealth has been pre-destined for him (or her) before even being born. No matter what he or she does, it will not be possible to increase or decrease this amount- that which has been pre-destined will come, that which has not, will not.
DESIRIBILITY OF WEALTH
In many verses in the Qur’an, Allah commands the believers to enjoy the material blessings, which He has provided for them. Allah states:“…So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah and do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth.”
It is not sin for a person to wish for more money, as long as his or her intentions are pure. Once Prophet (peace be upon him) called for Amr ibn al-As, and ordered him to bring his armour and weapons. When he arrived, the Prophet (peace be upon him) looked at him and said,“I wish to send you out on an expedition in which you will gain plenty of booty, and you will come back safely, and I wish that you come back with a good amount of money (because of the booty).” Amr replied, “O Messenger of Allah! I did not accept Islam in order to increase my wealth! Rather, I accepted it out of a sincere desire for Islam!” To which Prophet (pbuh) replied,“O ‘Amr! How admirable is pure money for a righteous person” [Reported by al-Hakim (2/3) and Ahmad (5/272)]
He (peace be upon him) also said,“There is no harm in richness, for he who has taqwa, but good health is better than being rich, for he who has taqwa” [Reported by Ibn Majah (#2141)]So there is no harm in seeking money and desiring it, as long as the means to achieve it, and the intention for which it is desired, is permissible. Wealth is essential for a person to survive in this life, and if possessed in excess of one’s needs, can be used in such a manner as to incur the pleasure of Allah. It is for this reason for a righteous person, for only the pious person will use wealth properly, unhindred by the selfishness which deprives wealth of so many blessings.The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated,“This money is green and luscious (like ripe fruits), so he who takes it rightfully, then what a great aid it is for him!”in this Hadith we are told the true purpose of money, and that it can be a tool that helps us to worship Allah. So in this is a great blessings, for everything that assists in the worship of Allah helps the faithful to achieve their goal of paradise. Therefore, to seek, spend, and protect money can all be acts of worship, if done with correctness and purity of intention.
THE PURPOSE OF MONEY
So great is the status and blessing of wealth, that mankind judges one another on this basis. Monetary wealth is the primary factor in determining social status, for in its presence power and fame increase, whereas in its absence power and fame are lost.For this reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “Status (hasab) is (based) on money.”
This does not, of course, imply that a person of wealth is better than one who lacks wealth. Rather, the Prophet (peace be upon him) merely narrated the status quo of mankind- that people judge one another based on their financial status. This is clearly seen in another wording of this hadith, in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,“Indeed, the status of the people of this world that they go to (i.e., judge by) is money.”However, in yet another narration, he (peace be upon him) concluded this hadith by stating that“…the true nobility is taqwa.” [Reported by al-Tirmidhi (2/222), Ibn Majah (#4219), Ahmad (5/361)]
Although the actual purpose of wealth is not the attainment of status, we nonetheless find that this is one of the main by-products of wealth.So money has been revealed to be a natural, innate lust of mankind, and for this reason serves to test the sincerity of faith on the part of those who are blessed with wealth. Those who are successful in the religion will turn to Allah in prayer and sacrifice, spending of their time and energy in prayer as commanded, and of their wealth as prescribed according to the rules of zakat.There May be some who may think that money is a means through which one can buy ANYTHING and EVERYTHING but they fail to realize the simple fact that Money can buy the bed but not sleep, books but not brains, clothes but not beauty, Medicines but not health, amusement but not happiness, luxuries but not culture, bungalows but not a home.
THE Fitnah OF WEALTH
Wealth, while one of the greatest blessings that mankind has been given, is at the same time one of the greatest trials and temptations. Allah states,“Your Wealth and your children may be but a trial (fitnah): but in the Presence of Allah is the highest Reward.” [64:15]
He also states,“And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah with whom lies your highest reward.” [8:28]Hence, every material possession is only a test and a trial. To make this test even more difficult, the value of wealth is raised high above most other worldly goods. Almost every person has a strong craving for wealth. As Allah says,“Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this worlds life; but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (to return to).” [3:14]In one of the most explicit verses in this regard in the Qur’an, the
Muslims are advised to understand their priorities, or suffer the consequences:“Say: If it be that your fathers your sons your brothers your mates or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline; or the dwellings in which ye delight are dearer to you than Allah or His apostle or the striving in his cause; then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious.”
Countless verses censure those who hoard wealth in denial of Allah’s rights:“Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and-backbiter, Who pileth up wealth and layeth it by, Thinking that his wealth would make him last for ever!” (104:3)
And:“Hast thou then seen the (sort of) man who rejects Our Signs, yet says: "I shall certainly be given wealth and children?" (19:77)Allah threatens such people:“Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!-To whom I granted resources in abundance, And sons to be by his side!- To whom I made (life) smooth and comfortable! Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);”- (74:15)As for such people,“No profit to him from all his wealth, and all his gains!” (111:2)
In fact, the very money that they are supposedly ‘blessed’ with is a means of punishment for them. Allah states, comforting the Prophet (pbuh),“Let not their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle thee: in reality Gods plan is to punish them with these things in this life, and that their souls may perish in their (very) denial of God.” (9:55)by these verses, we come to understand that an unrighteous life of wealth and worldly enjoyments is not a blessings, but rather a curse.
In truth, man is tested both in wealth and in poverty: Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honour and gifts, then saith he, (puffed up), "My Lord hath honoured me." But when He trieth him, restricting his subsistence for him, then saith he (in despair), "My Lord hath humiliated me!" Nay, nay! but ye honour not the orphans! Nor do ye encourage one another to feed the poor!- And ye devour inheritance - all with greed, And ye love wealth with inordinate love! (89:15-20)So great is the fitnah of wealth that this was the main fear that the prophet (pbuh) expressed for his nation. He stated,“I don’t fear poverty for you, but rather I fear that you will compete with one another (to see who has more possessions)” [al-Hakim 2/543]Extreme love for this world cannot exist in a heart devoted to Allah.
The prophet (pbuh) predicted,“The Day of Judgement has come close, and mankind will only increase their desire for this world, and they will only go farther and farther away from Allah” [Al-Hakim (4/324)]There is a direct relationship between a love of this world and loss of devotion to Allah; the more a person loves this world, the less he loves Allah, and vice versa.
Therefore, one’s love for money will harm him in this world, and in the Hereafter as well. On the Day of Judgement, every single person will be questioned about the money that he or she has earned. In fact, this questioning will take place as soon as one is resurrected from the grave. For the above reasons, the majority of businessmen and traders will be resurrected amongst the sinful on the Day of Judgement. Both poverty and wealth are fitnahs- ways by which Allah tries and tests us.
IMPORTANCE OF HALAL SUSTENANCE
There is no doubt that one of the obligations upon the Muslim is that he earn for himself and his family a pure halal sustenance. Furthermore, there are a number of narrations that signify that earning through halal is an obligation upon every Muslim. It is because of this that Islam encourages working. The taking of a profession is encouraged because it is one of the best ways that a person can ensure earning pure sustenance.So great is the status of halal sustenance that Islam has not looked down upon manual labour. Instead, it has given it a very high place, due to the fact that manual labour is, in general, a very honest profession. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated,Narrated Al Miqdam, The Prophet said, "Nobody has ever eaten a better meal than that which one has earned by working with ones own hands. The Prophet of Allah, David, used to eat from the earnings of his manual labor." [Al-Bukhari (2/10)]
In this hadith, we are told that the most honourable way to earn way to earn money is through manual labour.Infact, even the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) used to earn from his own hands. Once, he (sws) stated,“Allah did not send any prophet except that he used to be a shepherd of sheep”So the companions asked, “Including you, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied,“Yes, I used to be a shepherd for the people of Makkah, in return for some qararit (i.e., coins of copper).” [al-Bukhari 2/48]
The Prophet (pbuh) was not embarrassed or ashamed to inform his companions that he used to work as a shepherd in return for a very small amount of money (qararit).It is really unfortunate that today people look down upon those who are not in hi-fi profession like being an engineer or Doctor etc., those people forget the main purpose of wealth and it is also a test in this world and the wealth will no way help anyone in the hereafter.
ALLAH’S CRITERION FOR JUDGING PEOPLE
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). [49.13]In sight of Allah, the criteria for judging people is not sex, creed, colour, wealth, but taqwa (God consciusness).
Sufyan ath-Thawri rightly says:“Man’s love for the life of this world is shown in the way he greets people. Look at a chaste poor man…nobody talks to him. People greet him so warily as if fearing that he may pass poverty to them. But see how the people welcome a rich man, even if he does not perform salah. They stand up with smiling faces, and each one hopes to greet him first. Note the difference between a man who is so great as seen by Allah and another who does not even weigh a mosquito’s wing- but this is life”It is really wrong to judge people according to their financial status as we have seen above Allah provides to those whom He wills and it is also part of our test in this world. The people who worry that their loved ones should have the most luxuries life in this world (though its normal to have such expectations) but at the same time they fail to realize that they should take more care and strive to make sure that their loved ones gets jannah in the hereafter for which wealth wont be of any help.
It is upto Allah (swt) to provide and he provides His creatures in His own way.“If God helps you, none can overcome you: If He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you? in God, then, Let believers put their trust.” (3:160)Finally it is not wrong to desire for wealth but at the same time it is not right to judge someone according to his/her financial status as Allah provides everything and He can give wealth in no time to anyone He wishes and he can take back the wealth which He provided in no time.
Criteria of choosing a life partner
The Prophet (pbuh) taught us in many hadith about the various characteristics which one look for in a spouse. Narrated Abu Huraira- The Prophet said, "A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be a loser." [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.7, Hadith no. 27]
When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked by Umar bin Khattab (ra) about, what kind of wealth should we keep? He replied:Let each of you keep a heart that is grateful to Allah, a tongue that remembers and mentions Allah, and a believing wife who would assist him in regard to the affairs of the hereafter. [Recorded by Ahmad , Verified to be authentic by Albani As-Sahihah No.2176]
A similar hadith is reported by Abu Umamah and Ali (ra)A heart that is grateful to Allah, a tongue that remembers and mentions Allah, and a righteous wife who would assist you in regard in the affairs of your life and religion: those are the best treasures for the people. [Recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Verified to be authentic by Albani As-Sahihah No.4409]
Other criteria are good character, virginity, loving attitude, ability to bear children, contentment, naivety, beauty, compatibility etc.Deen and character may not compromised and are the focal point for compatibility, and all the other qualities are secondary and should not be overplayed, especially if they would be used as grounds for discrimination based on race, social status, country of origin, etc.
Qualities sought in a good husband
The Prophet (pbuh) instructed the guardians of women to marry them to men of good deen and character. When a man of known righteousness and good character seeks to marry, he should be seriously considered.Abu Hurairah (ra) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:If one comes to you seeking marriage, and you are satisfied with his deen and character, marry him; otherwise, a fitnah (harm) and great destruction will become rampant on the earth. [Recorded by At-Timidhi , Verified to be hasan by Albani As-Sahihah No.1022]
When a woman marries a man possessing Deen and good character, she will not lose out in any respect...if he keeps her, he will do so in a good manner, and if he releases her, he will do so in a good manner. A woman should strongly avoid a man who does not have these attributes - especially if he is negligent of the prayers, drinks alcohol, commits zina or commits any of the major sin. Wealth and social status should never be her main criteria in deciding for or against a husband.
compiled by IMTIAZ BASHEER AHMED
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Last update : 01-12-2004 17:45
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