Become a Millionaire the Islamic way. Islam’s teachings are not about ritual acts for praying and worshiping our Creator only, but it is rather a very comprehensive set of rules and guidelines that deal with every aspect of human life.
Much of our lives, about a quarter of an adult’s life, is spent working. It is therefore not surprising that so much of Islamic teaching is about finances and economics.
With the name of Allah most Beneficient ever Merciful.
Introduction:
There are numerous Quranic verses and sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) related to money matters under different aspects, such as, charity, interest, business ethics, wills, barter etc.
This booklet deals with just one aspect of this vast subject i.e. the striving for and accumulation of wealth or becoming a millionaire.
The Islamic stance on wealth: It’s well and good to be wealthy like the Prophet Sulaimaan AS or Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf. A good wealthy person could attain the third highest rank in the sight of Allah but, at the same time, if we are not careful, we could lose it all to end up on the wrong side with our Creator because of wealth.
A Warning from Allah and His Rasool ﷺ. The Prophet Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ has said: “I am not afraid that you will become poor, but I am afraid that worldly wealth will be given to you in abundance as it was given to those nations before you and you will start competing against each other for it as they did and then it will divert you from the good things as it diverted them. Shaih Bukahari Vol 8 Hadis 433 Muslim 7065
Look at my house, look at my car… this is vanity. It’s wrong to compete in accumulating wealth because this preoccupation will distract us from the most important Goal of life, which is to get to know our Creator.
The Quraan gives the stories of many nations that were misled by wealth and the wealthy amongst them. These stories are given in great detail and they are repeated quite often throughout the Quraan.
Allah SWT relates these stories to us so that we could learn from them and not make the same mistakes. These stories also serve as a warning to us. If we do as they did then we too will be punished in the same way as they were.
“See you not how the Lord dealt with the Ad people… (they had cities with high pillars) and the Thamud people who (made beautiful homes in mountains) and with Pherone….” Al Quran 89:6
These people were all destroyed and they will still be punished on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had on yet another occasion stressed the same fear about wealth destroying his followers. Once he got onto the pulpit, addressing his followers he said:
“O People, By Allah I do not entertain fear about you in regards to anything else other than that which Allah brings forth for you in the form of adornment of the world (Natural riches)…” Muslim Hadis 2288
These sentiments have also been echoed by the righteous caliphs and the Aulia Allah (Allah be pleased with them) time and time again. Hazrath Umar (RA) has said: “It is the excess of riches that makes a man haughty, corrupts his heart and multiplies his sins.
There are numerous other verses throughout the Quraan which also warn us about the dangers associated with the accumulation of wealth. E.g.
“The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things), until you visit the grave. Sura Al Takathur 102:1
These are very serious warnings from Allah SWT and his beloved ‘Rasool’ (Messenger) ﷺ and they are repeatedly stressed throughout the Quraan and ‘hadith’. These warnings come from a genuine source and we need to take it very seriously.
In order to take the proper stance on wealth, we need to study its effects on people. We have to understand as much as possible about how wealth affects us and the society in which we live. The Quraan states that wealth diverts people. Let us now look at the ways in which wealth diverts us from Allah and the good things in life.
Pride, arrogance and conceit. Wealth breeds pride and arrogance. A rich man will never accept or listen to a poor man that is leading the people. In the time of the Prophet Samuel (AS) his people asked him to choose a king for them who would lead them in battle.
Samuel (AS) chooses Talut (Soul), who was from the tribe of Benjamin. He was a strong and intelligent man. His tribe was the smallest of the twelve tribes of Israelites. Samuel (AS) choice was based on Divine inspiration yet it was not accepted by the wealthy.
“Their Prophet (Samuel AS) said to them: “Allah has appointed Talut as king over you,” They said: “How can he exercise authority over us when we are better fitted than he to exercise authority, and he is not even gifted, with wealth in abundance?” Sura Al Bakarah 2:247
The Israelites did not accept the choice of Samuel (AS) because he chose a poor man as their king. A wealthy man will always feel that he is better and that he should lead because of his wealth. They would not look at other good qualities such as education, wisdom, dedication etc.
This is not the first time or the last that the wealthy did not listen to their Prophets. Every leader, whether he was a Prophet, a Caliph, an Imam or an Alim has the same problem.
“Never did we send a Warner to a population, but the wealthy ones among them said: We believe not in the (messenger) with which you have been sent. They said “We have more in wealth and sons and we cannot be chastised” Say: “verily my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most men know not.” 34:34
Most of the wealthy of Quraish did not accept the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ either.
“They said: “Shall we believe in thee when it is the meanest that follows thee?” Sura As Shuraa 26:111
We must not follow the teachings of Islam that suit us only and leave out the aspects that do not suit us. If we are Muslims, then we have to follow Islam completely.
The Prophet ﷺ and his companions did not strive to acquire wealth, so why should we? We are supposed to be following them.
We cannot fool Allah with our daily prayers while inwardly we still pursue wealth and we still have a huge bank balance.
Preferential treatment: A wealthy person would always use his wealth to influence the people around him to get what he wants. He thinks he is perfect
In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, the wealthy men did not want to go to battle because they feared for their lives. They tried to influence him to exempt them from war.
“When a sura comes down, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive and fight along with his messenger, those with wealth and influence among them ask thee for exemption….” Sura Al Tauba 9:86
Wealthy people will use their influence to get away from punishment from the law for their misdeeds or their families.
Once the people asked Usma Bin Zaid, to ask the Prophet ﷺ, to forgive a woman that stole. She was from a wealthy family. The Prophet ﷺ responded by saying:
“What destroyed the nations preceding you was that if a noble person amongst them stole, they would forgive him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would inflict Allah’s legal punishment on him. By Allah if Fatima (RA), the daughter of Muhammad ﷺ stole, I would cut off her hand.” Bukharie Vol 4 Hadis 681.
Whilst Hazrath Umar (RA) was the caliph, he had to appear in a court case. The judge wanted to stand up in respect of him but Hazrath Umar (RA) insisted that he be treated in the same manner as any other Muslim and insisted that the judge be seated. Whenever Hazrath Umar (RA) appointed a provincial governor, Hazrath Umar (RA) would instruct him thus:
“You must neither ride on a fine horse nor eat white bread. Do not wear fine clothes. I have not appointed you over the people of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that you should drag them by their hair and beat them.”
Leadership: Wealthy people use their wealth to intimidate and influence people to follow them. They want the leadership positions in society.
Quite often they will mislead people. They would go to great lengths to have their own way. They do not care even if they had to create ‘fitna’ (division) or go against the teachings of Islam.
History has proven this repeatedly. Pherone, Namrood and Yazid were wealthy people. They used their wealth to subjugate their people and to teach them to revolt against the people that are true. Pherone threatened to torture his magicians when they accepted Hazrath Moosa (AS). 7:124.
Yazid influenced his followers (who were so called Muslims) to take up arms against the “Ahlebaith” (the family of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This is totally against the teachings of Islam and he influenced these people to commit the gravest of sins.
The people of Kufa had already pledged their allegiance to Hazrath Imam Hussein (saw). He used his wealth to influence these people to break their allegiance and harm the family of the founder of their religion. He influenced the people to harm the very people that every Muslim prays for when they read Durood.
Walid ibn Mugaira, an enemy of the Prophet ﷺ encouraged the people to go against the Prophet ﷺ
“Because he possessed wealth and (numerous) sons.” 68:14
Salih (AS) said to his people “will you be left secure (in the enjoinment of) all that you have here? Garden and springs, corn fields and date palms, beautiful houses. But fear Allah and obey me and follow not the bidding of the extravagant,….” Sura As shura 26:151.
“Noah (AS) said: “O my Lord, they have disobeyed me, but they follow (men) whose wealth and children give them no increase but only loss.” 71:21
Allah warns us not to follow the bidding of the wealthy. The people that follow the bidding of the wealthy will also be punished. Pherone lied to his people about Hazrath Moosa (AS) and they still followed him: Allah punished them all.
A person has to follow what is true and he has to stand up for what is just even if it means going against the wealthy.
Oppression: The greed for wealth on a mass scale can cause untold misery and heartache. Consider taxi or tow truck owners killng one another to have the monopoly, slavery, World War 2, Apartheid, colonoliazm, the wars in Middle Eastern countries for oil etc. The underlying factor in all these cases is wealth. The greed for wealth has resulted in so much pain and heartache.
Our attitude to wealth Has A bearing on Emaan (faith).
The Quraan and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ time and time again teach us not to become engrossed in wealth. Allah states in the Quraan that a person that wants to be wealthy does not have faith (does not believe in Allah and his Rasool ﷺ.
“The life of this world is alluring to those who reject faith, and they scoff at those who believe…”Sura Al Bakara 2:212
This is serious…., a matter of faith or Emaan. Such people that have a desire for worldly things will not be granted the good things in the hereafter.
“..there are men who say: “Our Lord give us (Thy bounties) in this world!” but they will have no portion in the hereafter. Sura Al Bakara 2:200
Every man has a conscience. If he listens to his conscience then he would instinctively know what is right and what is wrong.
If a person accepts that there is Allah who created him then he has to be happy and content with whatever Allah has provided for him as sustenance. If he continuously hankers and harasses Allah for more, then such a person is ungrateful.
When Allah grants him his wish then it is not what Allah wanted for him but it is what he wanted for himself. Such a person thinks that his choice is better than Allah’s choice. There is only one place for such a person.
“If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life) We will readily grant them such things as We will: in the end have We provided hell for them: they will burn therein, disgraced and rejected.” Sura Bani Israel 17:18
Allah describes this conflicting choice that we have within us all and He tells us which is better and more enduring.
“The (material things) which you are given are but conveniences of this life and the glitter thereof: But that which is with Allah is better and more enduring: will you then not be wise?” Sura Al Kasaas 28:60
If you still want to strive for wealth and you still think that it is better then:
“Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons your brothers, your mates, or your kindred: the wealth that you have gained: the commerce in which you fear a decline: or the dwellings in which you delight– are dearer to you than Allah or His Messenger, or striving in His cause: then wait until Allah brings about His Decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious,” Al Quran 9:24
So we have to make a choice between Allah and wealth. We cannot have both. To accumulate wealth one would have to work extremely hard. When a person does this then he is preoccupied with his business practically all the time (even while praying).
When a person is preoccupied with someone or something then it becomes his passion. This passion results in the person virtually living for what he strives for. If the person has such a passion for his wealth and his business then he would not have time for Allah, His Rasool and His creation. This person basically loves his wealth more than Allah.
Remember how Hazrath Salaman Farsie (RA) sacrificed his wealth in the search of truth. He was born in Iran to a wealthy landlord. In his search for truth he heard about the Prophet ﷺ. He gave up his inheritance and later his own wealth to become a slave just to get passage into Medina so that one day he could meet his true master. The Prophet ﷺ and the rest of his companions had assisted him to obtain his freedom.
Being poor is better than being rich: The Quraan and the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ are full of incidents about wealthy men that have misused their wealth to oppress the people and to rebel against Allah and His messengers.
However from the poor people many of them were described as pious. The Ashaabe Suffa is such an example. Most of the Prophets were poor. The following hadis describes such people;
Narrated by Abu Huraria (RA): “The Prophet ﷺ has said that many a person with disheveled hair and covered with dust is turned away from the doors whereas he is held in high esteem by Allah and if he were to adjure in the name of Allah about anything, Allah would fulfill that.” Muslim 6351.
They could have anything that they please because if they ask Allah for it then He would grant them their wish. These are the Faquirs and wealth is not what they want.
Reported by Ibn Abbas (RA). The Prophet ﷺ said: “I had a chance to look into paradise and I found that the majority of the people there were poor and I looked into the fire and I saw that the majority of the people there were women.” Muslim 6597
From these teachings we gather that it is better to be a contented poor person than haughty rich person. A poor person thinking about and wanting wealth is also wrong. He has to be content.
Contentment is important. If one is poor and he is still wanting and striving for wealth then he has issues. This world is the focus of his life instead of Allah SWT. On the other hand, if one has all the money in the world and it does not distract him from Allah SWT then it’s absolutely fine. A wealthy man that has learnt to overcome the natural obsession with wealth and spends in the path of Allah SWT will attain the third highest rank.
Spending: If you do have wealth then you are encouraged to spend it. “Believe in Allah and His Apostle ﷺ and spend (in charity) out of the substance whereof He has made you heirs.” Sura Hadid 57:7
When the injunction to spend was given to the people they asked the Prophet ﷺ to tell them how much of their wealth they must spend. Allah revealed the following verse:
“They ask thee how much they are to spend: Say “What is beyond your needs.” Sura Bakara 2:219
We must spend the extra money that we have, what is beyond our needs. We must still lead a simple life and spend the extra in Allah’s way. When they asked the Prophet ﷺ to tell them how to spend their money the following verse was revealed:
“Say: Whatever wealth you spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for the wayfarer and whatever you do that is good, Allah knoweth it well.” Sura Bakara 2:215
It is important to note that the money is not to be spent as zakaath only or for a mosque only but it must be spent on our parents, relatives and for the upliftment of the community–anything that is good.
Sometimes people use the excuse of building a mosque or feeding the poor as a front to make money. Religion today is big business so we also have a duty to ensure that we give to the correct cause.
Spending must not be about making ourselves out to look good but it must be sincerely for the pleasure of Allah SWT. Spending to impress others is a sin.
Hazrath Abu Bakar (RA) was the first adult male to convert to Islam. He was a wealthy businessman. When he accepted Islam he spent his wealth on the affairs of the Muslims. When Hazrath Bilal (RA) was tortured for being a Muslim, Hazrath Abu Bakar (RA) bought him from his master and set him free.
He also bought off many other slaves and set them free. On entering Medina, The Prophet ﷺ had asked Hazrath Abu Bakar (RA) to purchase the first piece of land for the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque.
On the occasion of the Tabuk expedition Hazrath Abu Bakar (RA) donated everything to Islam. The Prophet ﷺ had asked him: “What do you leave for your family.” He replied: “I have left for them Allah and his Rasool ﷺ”.
“Allah had purchased of the believers their persons and their goods. For theirs (in return) is the garden of (Paradise): They fight in His cause, slay and are slain:…” Al Quran 9:111
When Hazrath Abu Bakar (RA) was caliph, Hazrath Umar (RA) forced him to take an allowance from the Baitul Mal because he did not have any money and he would not have been able to do his duties as the caliph.
Before he could pass away he left instructions that his gardens be sold and the money be used to the Baitul mal for the salary he took. The money that he did take while he was a caliph was hardly sufficient for him and his family
“For those who give in charity, men and women and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, it shall be increased manifold and they shall have (besides), a liberal reward.” Sura Hadid 57:18
“Those who spend their substance in the cause of Allah, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of generosity or with injury-for them their reward is with their Lord.” Also 2:264
Hazrath Uthman (RA) was one of the wealthiest men in Arabia when he accepted Islam. He did not keep his wealth for himself to spend on luxuries but instead spent it freely in the path of Allah and his Rasool ﷺ.
He bought a well in Medina for the use of the Muslims after the Hijra and this was the first Islamic trust. When the Prophet’s ﷺ mosque became too small because of the increase in Muslims he bought the surrounding land and donated it to the mosque.
During the battle of Tabuk Hazrath Uthman (RA) bore the cost of one third of the army (i.e. about 10 000 men). Apart from this, He also gave one thousand camels, fifty horses and one thousand gold dinars. Hazrath Uthman (RA) was the caliph for 12 years and he did not draw a salary from the Baitul maal for that period.
Before Hazrath Uthman (RA) became the caliph he had more animals than anyone in the whole of Arabia and by the end of his term as caliph he had only two camels left. The rest he had donated. It was because of his charitable nature that the Prophet ﷺ gave him the title of “Ganie”.
“So establish regular prayer and give regular charity, and obey the Apostle so that ye may receive mercy.” An Nur 24:56
Abu Huraira (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger ﷺ as saying that A servant says: My wealth, my wealth, but out of his wealth three things only are his.
1) Whatever he eats.
2) Whatever he uses to dress himself and it wears out or he gives it in charity and
3) Whatever he spends in the path of Allah.
Whatever else you have that is more than this is of no use to you because you are going to die and leave them behind for others. Muslim 7063.
Our great scholars and leaders have said:
“Give now of thy gold and bounty, for eventually will it pass from thy grasp. Open the door of thy treasure today, for tomorrow the key will not be in thy hands.” Sadi (RA).
“Of all the worship that pleases Almighty Allah, the best is the grant of relief to the humble and the oppressed.” Hazrath Khwaja Moinuddin Hassan Chisty (Khwaja Garib e Nawaaz RA)
“A man who lacks generosity is a man without faith..” Hazrath Umar (RA).
Contentment in adversity: Hazrath Khwaja Moinuddin Hassan Chisty (RA) has said: “There are four cardinal virtues of the individual self: firstly, refrain from begging in the state of penury (poverty): Secondly: Show the attitude of the well fed when feeling hungry: Thirdly: Maintain cheerfulness in the time of sorrow and fourthly: befriend the enemy.”
Our Pir O Murshid, Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saib (RA) said: “Faquir, uus zaath e Akdas ke sewa kohie hamie nahie, har range, me har gam me koosh.” (A faquir with the exception of Allah cannot be compared with, in respect to his patience in the times of trials and tribulations.)
Once a wealthy man was on his way to a saint’s mazaar. He saw a poor faquir at the entrance and he offered him some money. The faquir, although he did not have money in his pocket retorted, I am not the beggar, you are and you must keep the money. The wealthy man said: “I have plenty of money and you have none.” The faquir replied “although I do not have money I am content and although you have so much you still ask Allah for more.
Saving for tomorrow: Everything belongs to Allah including the wealth that we have. We are just temporary caretakers of this wealth. By saving and hording we are showing that we do not trust Allah but we trust our wealth.
By spending the wealth in Allah’s course we will be placing our trust in Allah and not on our wealth. It is, after all, Allah who is the sustainer of everything in this world.
There are many narrations of incidents of Allah providing sustenance to his servants from the unseen. Allah SWT used to send food to Hazrath Bibi Mariam (AS) from the unseen. Whenever Zakaria went to visit Bibi Mariam (AS) he noticed that she used to have food with her.
“Every time he entered her chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said O Mariam; “where does this come to you from.” She said; “from Allah….” Sura Al Imraan 3:37
The followers of Hazrath Essa (AS) once asked him to ask Allah to send down food for them so that they could firmly believe in him.
“Said Essa (as), the son of Mariam (AS): O Allah our Lord send us from heaven a table set (with viands), that there may be for us- for the first and the last of us a solemn festival and a sign from thee: and provide for our sustenance, for thou art the best Sustainer (of our needs).” 5:114
Allah sent down this table spread with food and Hazrath Essa (AS) and his followers eat of this food. This feast came to be known as the last supper. The Bani Israel, the people of Hazrath Moosa (AS) were blessed with many favors from Allah. When they asked Hazrath Moosa (AS) to ask Allah for food and water, Allah granted their wishes.
“And we sent down to you manna and quails saying: “Eat of the good things We have provided for you” 2:57.
“And remember Hazrath Moosa (AS) prayed for water for his people. We said: “Strike the rock with thy staff.” Then gushed there from twelve springs.” 2:60
In the times of the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ there was no shortage in the blessings of Allah. Numerous Sahaba’s reported that water flowed from between the fingers of the Prophet ﷺ on different occasions.
On occasions the whole army satisfied themselves from water that was enough for only a few people. When the Prophet ﷺ gave gifts of grain and butter to people it would last for long periods until the recipients measured the amount.
In the times of scarcity the Prophet ﷺ was asked to bless the food that was pooled in front of him. Allah blessed the food to that point where everyone ate their fill and they still had extra. This happened on numerous occasions.
In the time of Hazrath Khwaja Nizamudien Aulia (RA) Sufism was at its zenith. Hundreds of people used to eat at the kankah of Hazrath Khwaja Nizamudeen Aulia (RA) once a day. Once someone told the king that the Kankah of Hazrath Khwaja Nizamudeen Aulia (RA) is more popular than the king’s palace.
The king got upset and ordered that the grant that was normally given to the Kankah of Hazrath Khwaja Nizamudeen Aulia be stopped. Before the person could deliver the letter of the king informing the Kankah that the grant was stopped, Hazrath Khwaja Nizumedeen Aulia (RA) announced that from that day onwards langar would be served twice a day.
Langar was served twice a day even after the huge grant of the king was cut and there was no shortage.
Our Pir O murshid, Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah (Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saib (RA) told us not to chase money and then see how it would follow us. He encouraged us rather to strive for Allah SWT. He used to tell us the following story to motivate us.
“Once there was a king and he announced to his people that they could come into his castle and take whatever they wanted. Everyone came into the castle and started taking different items away. One old lady caught hold of him. The king was surprised and asked her what she was doing. The women replied that you asked us to take whatever we wanted from this castle and I am taking you because you are in the castle. The king asked her what was she going to do with him. The woman said: “You see if I own you then whatever else you own will belong to me. By owning you I will in fact own everything you own.”
Our Murshid RA used to say that similarly we must strive for Allah SWT and make Him ours by means of love. If Allah loves us in return, then everything will belong to us. The whole world would be ours. Not that gaining the world is the object.
The following Hadis-e-Kudsie and Quranic ayah encourages the Muslims to spend their wealth and not to horde it. Allah will give you more for His blessings know no end and He is the best of sustainers.
Abu Huraira (RA) reports Allah’s Messenger ﷺ as saying that Allah, the most blessed, the most high said: “O son of Adam, spend, I will spend on you. The right hand of Allah is full and overflowing and nothing would diminish it, by overspending day and night.” Muslim Hadis 2178.
“Say verily my Lord enlarges and restricts the sustenance to such of His servants as he pleases: and nothing do you spend in the least (In His cause) but He replaces it: for He is the Best of those who grant sustenance.” 34:39.
As Muslims we must not fear that we would run short. It is Shaitaan that puts this fear into our hearts. We must rather place our trust in Allah (Tawakkal thu Allah) and spend our wealth in the path of Allah by feeding and helping the poor and taking care of our families and our community.
We must place our trust in Allah for He is the best to trust. He would never fail us. We must not make wealth our goal in life, but Allah our goal in life.
“Satan threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promised you his forgiveness and bounties….” Sura Bakara 2:268.
A Test from Allah:
“Your riches and your children may be but a trial: whereas Allah, with Him is the highest reward.” 64:15
“That which is on earth we have made but as a glitter show of it, in order that we may test them as to which of them are the best of conduct.” 18:7
Allah has made wealth and worldly possessions alluring and attractive to man so as to test him to see whether he is sincere. Many people will say that they believe in Allah and His Rasool ﷺ.
Islam is just not lip service. It is practical and we Muslims have to live what we believe in. How we behave when it comes to wealth will show whether we truly believe in Allah and His Apostle ﷺ, or whether it is only from the tip of our tongues.
Many of us fail the test because we put wealth before Allah SWT and his Rasool ﷺ. There are many ways in which Allah will test us using wealth and we discuss them below.
There are times when Allah will bless us with wealth. At times like these people have pride and they brag to others that Allah has treated them special because they are special. Instead of praising Allah, they praise themselves. Sometimes they will attribute their wealth to the skills that they have learnt instead of praising Allah.
There are also times that Allah may suddenly take away our wealth. At times like these a person should have patience and not complain but accept whatever Allah has given him. Instead such people will blame Allah for their woes
“Now as for man, when his Lord tries him, giving him honor and gifts, he says (puffed up) “My lord had honored me.” But when He tries him by restricting his subsistence for him, then says he (In despair) “My Lord has humiliated me.” Nay but you honor not the orphans, nor do you encourage one another to feed the poor, and you devour inheritance all with greed, and you love wealth with inordinate love!” Sura Al Fajar 89:15
“Man does not tire of asking for good (things), but if ill touches him, he gives up all hope (and) is lost in despair. When We give him a taste of some from Us, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say “This is due to my (merit)…”. When We bestow favors on man, he turns away, and gets himself remote on his side (instead of coming to us): and when evil seizes him (he comes) full of prolonged prayer!” 41:49
“Now when trouble touches a man he cries to Us: But when we bestow a favor upon him as from Us he says: “This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge (skill) that I (have)! Nay but this is but a trial, but most of them understand not!” 39:49
Breaking a promise made to Allah:
“Amongst them are men who made a promise to Allah that if He bestows on them of His bounty, they would give much in charity, and be truly amongst those who are righteous. But when He did bestow of His bounty, they became misers, and turned back (from their promise), averse (from its fulfillment). So He had put as a consequence hypocrisy in their hearts, (to last) till the day they shall meet Him: because they broke their covenant (promise) with Allah, and because they lied (again and again)” 9:75
Allah knows what is in every person’s heart. When you make a promise to Allah, then remember that He hears and knows all things. He will hold you responsible for any promises you made to Him.
Cheating to acquire wealth: Many people in their obsession to acquire wealth will resort to devious means such as stealing, fraud, misrepresentation of goods for sale, bribery, corruption, etc.
These are all serious offenses in Islam and some of the older nations of the world, such as the people of Shuaib (AS) were destroyed by Allah SWT because of their fraudulent business dealings. Allah’s curse is on the people that acquire wealth dishonestly.
“Woe to those who deal in fraud, those who, when they have to receive from men, extract full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, gives less than due.” Sura Al Tatfien 83:1
Shuaib (AS) said “give just measure and cause no loss (to others by fraud) and weigh with scales true and upright. Al Quran 26:181
“So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance.” Al Quran 55:10
“and do not eat up your properties amongst yourselves for vanities, nor use It as bait (bribery) for the judges, with intent that you may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) peoples property.” Sura Bakara 2:188
Punishment for hording: Allah warns us quite clearly that He will punish us severely for being misers and for hording wealth.
“Verily (the ends) you strive for are diverse. So he who gives (in charity) …we will make smooth the path to Ease. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self sufficient … We will make smooth for him the path to misery: Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit).” Al Quran 92:4
“And let those who covetously withhold of the gifts of which Allah hath given them: Nay it will be the worse for them: soon it will be tied to their necks like a twisted collar, on the Day of Judgment. To Allah belong the heritage of the heavens and the earth: and Allah is well acquainted with all that you do.” Sura Al Imraan 3:180.
“…And there are those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce to them a most grievous chastisement.” Al Quran 9:34
“Of no profit whatever to them, against Allah, will be the riches nor their sons: They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein for (aye)!” AL Quran 58:17
“For the unbelievers is a terrible cherishment, those who prefer the life of this world to the hereafter..” Al Quran 14:3
“Leave Me (Allah) 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 more! Soon will I cast him into hell fire.” AL Quran:11
Abu Darr (RA) said to Ahanaf bin Quis and the elite of Quraish that he heard that the Prophet ﷺ has said that the wealth of the hoarder would be heated and he would be branded with it. It would be so hot that it would come through on the other side. He also told not to accept a gift from a wealthy person if it becomes a price for your religion. Muslim 2177.
The Prophet’s ﷺ example: The most important sura in the entire Quraan is Sura Fatiha. It is the most widely read sura and our spiritual guide and founder said that it is the essence of the Holy Quraan.
The hadis kitabs also refer to this sura as “Ummul Kitab.” (mother of Quraan) After praising Allah we are taught to make the following dua i.e.:
“…show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Grace.” Sura Fatiha 1:6
The person that Allah SWT has bestowed the most grace on is His Habeeb, The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ. Elsewhere in the Quraan He says of His Habeeb:
“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar” Al Ahzab 33:21⁰
It is therefore important that we follow the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in this matter. It narrated in numerous ahadith that the Prophet ﷺ could not be easily made out from the rest of his followers.
Quite often strangers that came to meet the Prophet ﷺ mistook others to be him. Although he was a mighty ruler at that time, he lived his life no better than any of his followers. When his followers fought, he fought, when they were hungry, he was hungry and when they worked, he worked too.
Throughout history and even today, leaders always live a better life than the people under them. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ could have had the best if he wanted too because he was not only loved by his followers, he is also the beloved of Allah.
He did not accumulate wealth nor did he live in luxury. Instead he prayed for and lived a menial life at the brink of poverty. There are many ahadith narrated by many different people that state that,
“never did Allah’s Apostle ﷺ or his family eat their full for three days in a row.” Muslim 7083…7101.
Hazrath Bilal (RA) was the personal treasurer of the Prophet ﷺ. Once Abd Allah al-Hawzani (RA) met Hazrath Bilal (RA) and he asked him about the Prophet’s ﷺ personal financial affairs. He said that whenever a Muslim man came to the Prophet ﷺ in need, the Prophet ﷺ would order Hazrath Bilal (RA) to clothe and feed him. At times, Hazrath Bilal (RA) used to borrow money from someone or the other to do this. Once a Jew offered Hazrath Bilal (RA) his financial assistance. He told Hazrath Bilal (RA) to take the money from him whenever he needed it. Hazrath Bilal (RA) did accordingly. When the amount owing to the Jew was substantial, the Jew suddenly demanded that he be paid within four days or he would return Hazrath Bilal (RA) to slavery. That night Hazrath Bilal (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ permission to run away until such time that he or the Prophet ﷺ could get sufficient money to pay back the Jew. The next morning, before Hazrath Bilal (RA) could flee, a man came to him and told him that the Prophet ﷺ wished to see him. The Prophet ﷺ informed him that he had received a gift from the ruler of Fadek and he must use this to pay off the debts. After he had paid off the debt there was some wealth remaining. When the Prophet ﷺ learnt that there was some wealth remaining he said to Hazrath Bilal (RA):
“Look if you can give me comfort from it, for I shall not enter upon any member of my family until you give me comfort from it. (Meaning until it is spent). When the Prophet ﷺ offered the night prayer he called me and said: What is the position with that which you had with you. I said it is with me. No one has come to me. The Apostle of Allah ﷺ passed the night in the mosque. He then narrated the rest of the tradition. The next day when he offered the night prayer, he called me and asked: What is the position of that which you had? I replied: Allah has given you comfort from it, Apostle of Allah ﷺ (i.e. it was spent). He said: Allah is most Great, and praised Allah, fearing lest he should die while it was with him….” Abu Dawud 3049
The Prophet ﷺ was so much against the accumulation of wealth, that it even bothered him while it was temporarily with him. Until it was not spent, he would not rest in peace.
Every person would want the best for his children and family. So too, it is with the Prophet ﷺ. He wanted the best for his family and the best is not wealth, but rather just enough to survive.
Abu Huraira (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger ﷺ as saying: O Allah make for the family of Muhammad ﷺ the provision which is bare subsistence.” Muslim 70
Although he lived a life at the brink of poverty he use to give so much and so freely that his people use to say that he was more magnanimous that the winds that brought rain.
Conclusion:
Becoming a millionaire the Islamic way is all about intentions and priorities. If Allah SWT is our goal then we are all wealthy, but not like the way wealth is portrayed today.
It’s not necessarily about fancy houses and bank balances only but it’s more importantly about peace, contentment, happiness and serving others. Truly wealthy is he who could share and help others, like the Prophets and Saints.
If Allah SWT is not our goal then, no matter how much we have, it will not be enough. The so-called richest man in the world today still works, he wants to own everything. He is trapped, a slave to his wealth and he is unhappy with his transcended son.
May Allah SWT guide us on the straight path. Ameen.
End.
This book was first published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi in 2004. Author, Mahommed Hassan Gaffoor. WhatsApp +27849101486
This poem is dedicated to our founder Dr Hakim Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah RA, loving known as Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saib Rahmathullah Alay.
One day at dawn, the fair idol entered my door and woke me from my sleep of slothful ignorance,
The secret chamber of my soul was illuminated by His Face. And my being was revealed to me In its true light,
I heaved a sigh of wonder when I saw that fair face. He spoke to me saying, “All thy life thou has sought Name and fame:
This self seeking of thine is an illusion, keeping thee back from Me.
To glance at my face for an instant is worth a thousand years of devotion.”
Yes, the face of that world-adorner Was shown unveiled before mine eyes: My soul was darkened with shame
To remember my lost life,
My wasted days.
Saddudin Mohummed Shabistari
Click link below to listen to a song on materialism.