Numerous times in the Quran, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala tells us that humans have a strong desire for wealth and material possessions. Man’s love for wealth is insatiable. Individuals often believe that money would liberate them from hardships and poverty. Prophet Mohammad salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Allah has said, ‘I have sent down money so that the prayer be established and zakat be given. And if the son of Adam had a valley of gold, he would still wish for another and if he had two valleys of gold, he would wish for a third! And nothing will fit the inside of the son of Adam except dust and Allah will accept the repentance of he who repents.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
Based on the teachings of Islam, wealth belongs solely to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala while we are merely custodians of Allah’s wealth. When the believer accepts his position as a custodian, he will be willing to preserve the wealth and comprehend its rules and regulations to ascertain who is entitled to the wealth. Islam instructs us to spend our money wisely and to use it for noble causes. This will enable us to gain tremendous benefits in the Akhirah.
“Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successive inheritors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.” (Quran 57:7) (Saheeh International)
Halal and Haram Earnings
The Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “A time will come when one will not care as to how one gets his money whether legally or illegally.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
According to the Islamic Shariah, Muslims are prescribed to earn money legally (Halal) and to avoid unlawful acts that are prohibited in Islam (Haram). These days, people are so preoccupied in acquiring wealth that they have no concern for where the money comes from. Muslims must avoid engaging in jobs that involve selling or dealing with unlawful products. Obtaining money by fraud, deception, stealing and gambling are considered to be Haram. Islam strongly opposes and detests acquiring money unlawfully. Earning money legally creates a solid base for achieving Allah’s blessings and yields positive outcomes. Such methods of obtaining income also include the blessings of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
“O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” (Quran 4:29) (Saheeh International).
Spending in Charity
Prophet Mohammad salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Tirmidhi)
All Muslims have a responsibility to provide charitable donations to those in need. It is obligatory for Muslims to donate some of the riches to those who are less fortunate in order to purify their wealth and show their dedication in assisting other individuals. There will be no loss of wealth when one uses their earning in the manner prescribed by Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Quran 2:261) (Saheeh International).
One of the most significant advantages of spending in charity is that it cleanses our soul and combats greediness, selfishness and extravagant spending. When someone gives up their wealth for Allah’s pleasure, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala substitutes their riches for something more superior and valuable. As an alternative to spending extravagantly, these funds could be used to help people in distress.
Wealth – A Test from Allah
Some individuals consider wealth and fortune to be a blessing while others consider poverty to be a punishment from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. But this is not the case, rather wealth and poverty are a trial and test from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
“Do they think that what We extend to them of wealth and children”
“Is [because] We hasten for them good things? Rather, they do not perceive.” (Quran 23:55-56) (Saheeh International)
In fact, Allah provides wealth and good fortune to those whom He likes and to those whom He despises. Similarly, he refuses to offer provisions to those whom He likes and to those whom He does not like. Therefore, we must obey Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and be grateful to Him in every situation. If one is prosperous and wealthy, he should thank Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and if one is destitute, he should supplicate to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and be patient. A Muslim ought to embrace the fact that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala does not merely provide wealth or withhold it as a test of faith, but He does so with boundless wisdom and with regard to the needs of others. Out of His great wisdom, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala may withhold an enormous amount of wealth from an individual knowing that the individual would be corrupted by it.
“And if Allah had extended [excessively] provision for His servants, they would have committed tyranny throughout the earth. But He sends [it] down in an amount which He wills. Indeed He is, of His servants, Acquainted and Seeing.” (Quran 42:27) (Saheeh International)
Feeling Deprived
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Look at those who are below you, and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely to hold you back from belittling the blessing that Allah has bestowed upon you.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
In today’s world, we are constantly comparing ourselves to others and end up feeling deprived if we lack what others possess. For a person to be thankful and to appreciate the blessings of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, the Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam advises us to compare ourselves to those who are less fortunate. Shaytaan tries hard to make a person feel deprived of things such as more money and material possessions that an individual craves for. When an awareness of not having enough has taken place in the mind of the believer, Shaytaan exploits the person and pushes him to participate in immoral financial activities.
“Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Quran 2:268) (Saheeh International)
Shaytaan may even instruct the believer to refrain from giving charity implying that it is unfavourable to be generous at this moment. Feelings of deprivation are discouraged in Islam because they may drive us to engage in sinful behaviour in an effort to acquire more wealth.
Conclusion
The Quran warns Muslims not to squander their wealth and to be wary of greed and temptation. Excessive wealth can distract us and destroy our spiritual well-being by diverting our focus away from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. Muslims must acknowledge the fact that all of our wealth and material possessions are temporary and will not accompany us after our death. Hence, we must devise effective strategies for managing our wealth appropriately. Allah has made it clear that worldly pleasure is just temporary and that true pleasure can only be found in the Akhirah.
“Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire – of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return [i.e., Paradise].” (Quran 3:14) (Saheeh International).
Written by Sister Sumayya Syed
