In the name of God, the compassionate the merciful
Wealth is a means to an end not a means to itself. The Quran has given us authentic stories of some people who were given abundant wealth by God and this wealth became the very source of their destruction. Qaroon (Qorah) and Firaun (Pharoah) are just 2 major examples. Quran chapter 28: 76-77,78 has described the quantum of wealth Qaroon was given by God and the arrogance and tyranny he demonstrated towards his own people due to his possession of this wealth, and his subsequent destruction by God. Quran 10: 88 described how Musah lamented to Allah about the wealth he gave to the Pharoah and how he is using this wealth to cause ‘fasad’ in the land against anyone who does not support his tyrannical course in Egypt, and how Musa called upon God to destroy him.
Some people think that wealth is absolutely good news so one must make wealth by hook or crook. Amongst this group of people are some Muslims who view any other Muslim who says “Allah says riba is haram” as their enemy because such a person is attacking their source of business capital, their source of owning a car, their source of school fees, their source of marriage funding, and the source of their livelihood and that of their families. Well to this group of Muslims, I remind them of an authentic hadeeth of the messenger of Allah advising Muath ibn Jabal.
One day I (Muath) was behind the Prophet (SAW) riding on the same mount. And he said; O young man, be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. Recognize and acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will remember you in times of adversity. And know that what has passed you by (and you have failed to attain) was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” 40 Hadith an-Nawawi, Hadith 19
From an Islamic perspective wealth is a trial. Allah says “Your wealth and your children are but a trial.” Quran 64: 15. Moreover, Allah says; “O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that then those are the losers.” Quran 63: 9. Further, Amr ibn Awf reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “By Allah, it is not poverty I fear for you, but rather I fear you will be given the wealth of the world just as it was given to those before you and you will compete for it just as they competed for it and it will destroy you just as it destroyed them.” (Sahih Bukhari 2988, Sahih Muslim 2961
Wealth is also a blessing from Allah “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a perpetual forgiver. He will send rain from the sky upon you in continuing showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.” Quran 71:10-12. Again, Allah says; “And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.” Quran 65: 2,3.
The two major views about wealth
Islamic scholars have classified two extreme views about wealth which are un-Islamic; One group state that lack of wealth is the root cause of all the problems faced by ummah. They are willing to follow the economic system of non-Muslim countries to be like the first world countries. The second group considers that running after wealth is something detestable as it is part of the world, a form of trial. Being rich and close to Allah is mutually exclusive. They feel that they do not have enough time to win the bread for their family and consequently often rely on charity and the help of others.
The correct view
Islam is a faith of balance. So, it has a unique dispensation on the concept of wealth. Wealth in Islam is not an end in itself, but a means to higher values. It is not inherently evil as mistakenly portrayed by certain religions and philosophical ideologies as well as some Muslims. Rather Quran calls wealth “Khair” in many of the verses. Khair in Arabic means something good. For example, Allah exalted be He speaks about man: “And indeed he is, in love of ‘good’, intense.” Quran100: 8.
Also, many of the prophets were attributed with riches and wealth, like the prophets whom Allah gave dominion. For example, Yusuf (on whom be peace) whom Allah empowered in the land of Egypt, Dawud (on whom be peace) whom Allah gave dominion and wisdom, and Sulayman (on whom be peace) whom Allah gave such a dominion which is not to be owned by anyone else after him.
In Islam, wealth is just a ‘magnifier.’ The wealth of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was used to free oppressed slaves like Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him. And on the other hand, the wealth of Qaroon, Abu Lahab, and Abu Jahl expedited their destruction. Being wealthy is being tested and being poor is also being tested. As Allah says, “Now, as for man, when his Lord tries him, giving him honour and gifts, then he says ‘my lord has honoured me’. But when He tries him, restricting his subsistence for him, then he says (in despair), “My Lord hath humiliated me” Qur’an 89: 15-16. As a human being, seeking your halal wealth or livelihood is obligatory. But as for the Muslim, it is obligation after obligation on him or her to seek not only the wealth of this world but both worlds (falah). This can also mean that you must stay away from anything that will not benefit you on the day of judgement.
And Allah knows best! May Allah shower His mercies on us and provide for us an Islamic Finance house in Ghana and beyond. Ameen!
YAHAYA ILIASU MUSTAPHA
The writer is an Islamic Banking and Finance patron and advocate in Ghana.
Email: yahaya0246873726@gmail.com
Facebook account: facebook.om/Yahaya.iliasu.94
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