The test of wealth and the dignity of the poor.
Wealth and poverty are both tests in the Quran and Sunnah. These texts describe wealth as adornment and trial, warn against greed and arrogance, honour the patient poor, and define true richness as contentment.
Your wealth and your children are a trial, and with Allah is a great reward.
وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَآ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمۡ وَأَوۡلَٰدُكُمۡ فِتۡنَةࣱ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجۡرٌ عَظِيمࣱ ٢٨
And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward
Wealth and children are the adornment of worldly life; enduring good deeds are better.
ٱلۡمَالُ وَٱلۡبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَٱلۡبَٰقِيَٰتُ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ خَيۡرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابࣰ ا وَخَيۡرٌ أَمَلࣰ ا ٤٦
Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope
Do not let wealth and children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُلۡهِكُمۡ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُكُمۡ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَٰسِرُونَ ٩
O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers
Allah raised some above others in rank to test them through what He gave.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَكُمۡ خَلَٰٓئِفَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعۡضَكُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضࣲ دَرَجَٰتࣲ لِّيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ فِي مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمۡۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورࣱ رَّحِيمُۢ ١٦٥
And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful
Allah apportioned livelihood so that people make use of one another; His mercy is better than what they amass.
أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَهُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضࣲ دَرَجَٰتࣲ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُهُم بَعۡضࣰ ا سُخۡرِيࣰّ اۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرࣱ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ ٣٢
Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate
Allah extends and restricts provision for whom He wills.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرَۢا بَصِيرࣰ ا ٣٠
Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, Acquainted and Seeing
If Allah extended provision excessively, people would commit tyranny on earth.
۞وَلَوۡ بَسَطَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ لَبَغَوۡاْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَٰكِن يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرࣲ مَّا يَشَآءُۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرُۢ بَصِيرࣱ ٢٧
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
Man thinks plenty is honour and restriction humiliation, while neglecting the orphan and loving wealth.
فَأَمَّا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ إِذَا مَا ٱبۡتَلَىٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَأَكۡرَمَهُۥ وَنَعَّمَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّيٓ أَكۡرَمَنِ ١٥ وَأَمَّآ إِذَا مَا ٱبۡتَلَىٰهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيۡهِ رِزۡقَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّيٓ أَهَٰنَنِ ١٦ كَلَّاۖ بَل لَّا تُكۡرِمُونَ ٱلۡيَتِيمَ ١٧ وَلَا تَحَٰٓضُّونَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلۡمِسۡكِينِ ١٨ وَتَأۡكُلُونَ ٱلتُّرَاثَ أَكۡلࣰ ا لَّمࣰّ ا ١٩ وَتُحِبُّونَ ٱلۡمَالَ حُبࣰّ ا جَمࣰّ ا ٢٠
15 And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me 16 But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me 17 No! But you do not honor the orphan 18 And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor 19 And you consume inheritance, devouring [it] altogether 20 And you love wealth with immense love
Wealth and children do not bring one nearer to Allah; faith and righteous deeds do.
وَمَآ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحࣰ ا فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡغُرُفَٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ ٣٧
And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is [by being] one who has believed and done righteousness. For them there will be the double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers [of Paradise], safe [and secure]
Worldly life is play, adornment and rivalry in wealth, passing like withering plants.
ٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لَعِبࣱ وَلَهۡوࣱ وَزِينَةࣱ وَتَفَاخُرُۢ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَتَكَاثُرࣱ فِي ٱلۡأَمۡوَٰلِ وَٱلۡأَوۡلَٰدِۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيۡثٍ أَعۡجَبَ ٱلۡكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصۡفَرࣰّ ا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَٰمࣰ اۖ وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ عَذَابࣱ شَدِيدࣱ وَمَغۡفِرَةࣱ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضۡوَٰنࣱۚ وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡغُرُورِ ٢٠
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion
Competition in increase distracts people until they reach the graves.
أَلۡهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ ١ حَتَّىٰ زُرۡتُمُ ٱلۡمَقَابِرَ ٢
1 Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you 2 Until you visit the graveyards
Woe to the one who amasses and counts wealth, thinking it will make him immortal.
وَيۡلࣱ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةࣲ لُّمَزَةٍ ١ ٱلَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالࣰ ا وَعَدَّدَهُۥ ٢ يَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُۥٓ أَخۡلَدَهُۥ ٣
1 Woe to every scorner and mocker 2 Who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it 3 He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal
Heaped-up gold and silver are among the adornments of worldly life; Allah has the best return.
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡبَنِينَ وَٱلۡقَنَٰطِيرِ ٱلۡمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ ٱلذَّهَبِ وَٱلۡفِضَّةِ وَٱلۡخَيۡلِ ٱلۡمُسَوَّمَةِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ وَٱلۡحَرۡثِۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسۡنُ ٱلۡمَـَٔابِ ١٤
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
Qarun was given vast treasure, told not to exult, and credited it to his own knowledge.
۞إِنَّ قَٰرُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوۡمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡۖ وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلۡكُنُوزِ مَآ إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُۥ لَتَنُوٓأُ بِٱلۡعُصۡبَةِ أُوْلِي ٱلۡقُوَّةِ إِذۡ قَالَ لَهُۥ قَوۡمُهُۥ لَا تَفۡرَحۡۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَرِحِينَ ٧٦ وَٱبۡتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَأَحۡسِن كَمَآ أَحۡسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡكَۖ وَلَا تَبۡغِ ٱلۡفَسَادَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ ٧٧ قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِيٓۚ أَوَلَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ أَهۡلَكَ مِن قَبۡلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرُونِ مَنۡ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنۡهُ قُوَّةࣰ وَأَكۡثَرُ جَمۡعࣰ اۚ وَلَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ ٧٨ فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ فِي زِينَتِهِۦۖ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا يَٰلَيۡتَ لَنَا مِثۡلَ مَآ أُوتِيَ قَٰرُونُ إِنَّهُۥ لَذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمࣲ ٧٩
76 Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, "Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant 77 But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters 78 He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked 79 So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said, "Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qarun. Indeed, he is one of great fortune
The dignified poor do not beg persistently; people think them rich because of their restraint.
لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُحۡصِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ ضَرۡبࣰ ا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَحۡسَبُهُمُ ٱلۡجَاهِلُ أَغۡنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعۡرِفُهُم بِسِيمَٰهُمۡ لَا يَسۡـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلۡحَافࣰ اۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنۡ خَيۡرࣲ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ ٢٧٣
[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it
Allah found the Prophet ﷺ poor and made him self-sufficient.
وَوَجَدَكَ عَآئِلࣰ ا فَأَغۡنَىٰ ٨
And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient
True wealth is not many possessions but sufficiency of the soul.
Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Wealth is not in having many possessions, but rather (true) wealth is feeling sufficiency in the soul
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَصِينٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ ".
Successful is the one who accepts Islam, has sufficient provision and is made content.
Amr b. al-'As reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:He Is successful who has accepted Islam, who has been provided with sufficient for his want and been made contented by Allah with what He has given him
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْمُقْرِئُ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي، أَيُّوبَ حَدَّثَنِي شُرَحْبِيلُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ شَرِيكٍ - عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحُبُلِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَرُزِقَ كَفَافًا وَقَنَّعَهُ اللَّهُ بِمَا آتَاهُ " .
There is nothing wrong with being rich for one who has piety, but health with piety is better.
It was narrated from Mu'adh bin 'Abdullah bin Khubaib, from his father, that his paternal uncle said:"We were sitting in a gathering, and the Prophet (ﷺ) came with traces of water on his head. One of us said to him: 'We see that you are of good cheer today.' He said: 'Yes, praise is to Allah.' Then he spoke to the people about being rich. He said: 'There is nothing wrong with being rich for one who has piety, but good health for one who has piety is better than riches, and being of good cheer is a blessing
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خُبَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، قَالَ كُنَّا فِي مَجْلِسٍ فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ وَعَلَى رَأْسِهِ أَثَرُ مَاءٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُنَا نَرَاكَ الْيَوْمَ طَيِّبَ النَّفْسِ . فَقَالَ " أَجَلْ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ " . ثُمَّ أَفَاضَ الْقَوْمُ فِي ذِكْرِ الْغِنَى فَقَالَ " لاَ بَأْسَ بِالْغِنَى لِمَنِ اتَّقَى وَالصِّحَّةُ لِمَنِ اتَّقَى خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْغِنَى وَطِيبُ النَّفْسِ مِنَ النِّعَمِ " .
How excellent is the lawfully earned wealth of a Muslim spent on good causes.
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ascended the pulpit and said, "Nothing worries me as to what will happen to you after me, except the temptation of worldly blessings which will be conferred on you." Then he mentioned the worldly pleasures. He started with the one (i.e. the blessings) and took up the other (i.e. the pleasures). A man got up saying, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Can the good bring about evil?" The Prophet (ﷺ) remained silent and we thought that he was being inspired divinely, so all the people kept silent with awe. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) wiped the sweat off his face and asked, "Where is the present questioner?" "Do you think wealth is good?" he repeated thrice, adding, "No doubt, good produces nothing but good. Indeed it is like what grows on the banks of a stream which either kills or nearly kills the grazing animals because of gluttony except the vegetation-eating animal which eats till both its flanks are full (i.e. till it gets satisfied) and then stands in the sun and defecates and urinates and again starts grazing. This worldly property is sweet vegetation. How excellent the wealth of the Muslim is, if it is collected through legal means and is spent in Allah's Cause and on orphans, poor people and travelers. But he who does not take it legally is like an eater who is never satisfied and his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of Resurrection
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ، حَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحٌ، حَدَّثَنَا هِلاَلٌ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَامَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَقَالَ " إِنَّمَا أَخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي مَا يُفْتَحُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ بَرَكَاتِ الأَرْضِ ". ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ زَهْرَةَ الدُّنْيَا، فَبَدَأَ بِإِحْدَاهُمَا وَثَنَّى بِالأُخْرَى، فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوَيَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ بِالشَّرِّ فَسَكَتَ عَنْهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قُلْنَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ. وَسَكَتَ النَّاسُ كَأَنَّ عَلَى رُءُوسِهِمِ الطَّيْرَ، ثُمَّ إِنَّهُ مَسَحَ عَنْ وَجْهِهِ الرُّحَضَاءَ، فَقَالَ " أَيْنَ السَّائِلُ آنِفًا أَوَخَيْرٌ هُوَ ـ ثَلاَثًا ـ إِنَّ الْخَيْرَ لاَ يَأْتِي إِلاَّ بِالْخَيْرِ، وَإِنَّهُ كُلُّ مَا يُنْبِتُ الرَّبِيعُ مَا يَقْتُلُ حَبَطًا أَوْ يُلِمُّ كُلَّمَا أَكَلَتْ، حَتَّى إِذَا امْتَلأَتْ خَاصِرَتَاهَا اسْتَقْبَلَتِ الشَّمْسَ، فَثَلَطَتْ وَبَالَتْ ثُمَّ رَتَعَتْ، وَإِنَّ هَذَا الْمَالَ خَضِرَةٌ حُلْوَةٌ، وَنِعْمَ صَاحِبُ الْمُسْلِمِ لِمَنْ أَخَذَهُ بِحَقِّهِ، فَجَعَلَهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ، وَمَنْ لَمْ يَأْخُذْهُ بِحَقِّهِ فَهْوَ كَالآكِلِ الَّذِي لاَ يَشْبَعُ، وَيَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ شَهِيدًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ".
One may wish to be like a person given wealth who spends it righteously.
Narrated `Abdullah bin Mas`ud:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not wish to be like anyone except in two cases. (The first is) A person, whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously; (the second is) the one whom Allah has given wisdom (the Holy Qur'an) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others." (Fath-al-Bari page 177 Vol)
حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي خَالِدٍ، عَلَى غَيْرِ مَا حَدَّثَنَاهُ الزُّهْرِيُّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ قَيْسَ بْنَ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ حَسَدَ إِلاَّ فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَالاً فَسُلِّطَ عَلَى هَلَكَتِهِ فِي الْحَقِّ، وَرَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْحِكْمَةَ، فَهْوَ يَقْضِي بِهَا وَيُعَلِّمُهَا ".
The Prophet ﷺ prayed for Anas to be given increased wealth and children, with blessing.
Narrated Um Sulaim:that she said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Anas is your servant, so please invoke for Allah's blessing for him." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Allah! Increase his wealth and offspring and bless (for him) whatever You give him
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أُمِّ سُلَيْمٍ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَسٌ خَادِمُكَ ادْعُ اللَّهَ لَهُ قَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثِرْ مَالَهُ وَوَلَدَهُ، وَبَارِكْ لَهُ فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ ". وَعَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، سَمِعْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، مِثْلَهُ
Allah loves the servant who is God-conscious, free from want and unnoticed.
It is reported on the authority of Amir b. Sa'd that Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas was in the fold of his camels that his son 'Umar came to him. When Sa'd saw him he said:I seek refuge with Allah from the mischief of this rider. And as he got down he said to him: You are busy with your camels and your sheep and you have abandoned people who are contending with one another for kingdom. Sa'd struck his chest and said: Keep quite. I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Allah loves the servant who is God-conscious and is free from want and is hidden (from the view of people)
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَظِيمِ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لإِسْحَاقَ - قَالَ عَبَّاسٌ حَدَّثَنَا وَقَالَ، إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا - أَبُو بَكْرٍ الْحَنَفِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا بُكَيْرُ بْنُ مِسْمَارٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عَامِرُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، قَالَ كَانَ سَعْدُ بْنُ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ فِي إِبِلِهِ فَجَاءَهُ ابْنُهُ عُمَرُ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ سَعْدٌ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ هَذَا الرَّاكِبِ فَنَزَلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَنَزَلْتَ فِي إِبِلِكَ وَغَنَمِكَ وَتَرَكْتَ النَّاسَ يَتَنَازَعُونَ الْمُلْكَ بَيْنَهُمْ فَضَرَبَ سَعْدٌ فِي صَدْرِهِ فَقَالَ اسْكُتْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْعَبْدَ التَّقِيَّ الْغَنِيَّ الْخَفِيَّ " .
If the son of Adam had two valleys of wealth, he would want a third.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "If the son of Adam (the human being) had two valleys of money, he would wish for a third, for nothing can fill the belly of Adam's son except dust, and Allah forgives him who repents to Him
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لَوْ كَانَ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيَانِ مِنْ مَالٍ لاَبْتَغَى ثَالِثًا، وَلاَ يَمْلأُ جَوْفَ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ، وَيَتُوبُ اللَّهُ عَلَى مَنْ تَابَ ".
Desire for wealth and status harms a person's religion more than two wolves let loose among sheep.
Ibn Ka'b bin Malik Al-Ansari narrated from his father, that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:"Two wolves free among sheep are no more destructive to them than a man's desire for wealth and honor is to his religion
حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ زَكَرِيَّا بْنِ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَعْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا ذِئْبَانِ جَائِعَانِ أُرْسِلاَ فِي غَنَمٍ بِأَفْسَدَ لَهَا مِنْ حِرْصِ الْمَرْءِ عَلَى الْمَالِ وَالشَّرَفِ لِدِينِهِ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَيُرْوَى فِي هَذَا الْبَابِ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلاَ يَصِحُّ إِسْنَادُهُ .
The Prophet ﷺ feared not poverty for his ummah but worldly abundance and rivalry over it.
Narrated `Amr bin `Auf Al-Ansari:(who was an ally of Bani `Amr bin Lu'ai and one of those who had taken part in (the Ghazwa of) Badr): Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarreh to Bahrain to collect the Jizya. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had established peace with the people of Bahrain and appointed Al-`Ala' bin Al-Hadrami as their governor. When Abu 'Ubaida came from Bahrain with the money, the Ansar heard of Abu 'Ubaida's arrival which coincided with the time of the morning prayer with the Prophet. When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) led them in the morning prayer and finished, the Ansar approached him, and he looked at them and smiled on seeing them and said, "I feel that you have heard that Abu. 'Ubaida has brought something?" They said, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)' He said, "Rejoice and hope for what will please you! By Allah, I am not afraid of your poverty but I am afraid that you will lead a life of luxury as past nations did, whereupon you will compete with each other for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنِ الْمِسْوَرِ بْنِ مَخْرَمَةَ، أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عَمْرَو بْنَ عَوْفٍ الأَنْصَارِيَّ وَهْوَ حَلِيفٌ لِبَنِي عَامِرِ بْنِ لُؤَىٍّ وَكَانَ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعَثَ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ بْنَ الْجَرَّاحِ إِلَى الْبَحْرَيْنِ يَأْتِي بِجِزْيَتِهَا، وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هُوَ صَالَحَ أَهْلَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ وَأَمَّرَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْعَلاَءَ بْنَ الْحَضْرَمِيِّ، فَقَدِمَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بِمَالٍ مِنَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ، فَسَمِعَتِ الأَنْصَارُ بِقُدُومِ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ فَوَافَتْ صَلاَةَ الصُّبْحِ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَلَمَّا صَلَّى بِهِمِ الْفَجْرَ انْصَرَفَ، فَتَعَرَّضُوا لَهُ، فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ رَآهُمْ وَقَالَ " أَظُنُّكُمْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ أَنَّ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ قَدْ جَاءَ بِشَىْءٍ ". قَالُوا أَجَلْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. قَالَ " فَأَبْشِرُوا وَأَمِّلُوا مَا يَسُرُّكُمْ، فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ الْفَقْرَ أَخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ، وَلَكِنْ أَخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُبْسَطَ عَلَيْكُمُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا بُسِطَتْ عَلَى مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ، فَتَنَافَسُوهَا كَمَا تَنَافَسُوهَا وَتُهْلِكَكُمْ كَمَا أَهْلَكَتْهُمْ ".
The poor enter Paradise five hundred years before the rich.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:"The poor are admitted into Paradise before the rich, by five hundres years, (i.e.) half a day
حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا قَبِيصَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَدْخُلُ الْفُقَرَاءُ الْجَنَّةَ قَبْلَ الأَغْنِيَاءِ بِخَمْسِمِائَةِ عَامٍ نِصْفِ يَوْمٍ " . قَالَ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Most of the people of Paradise the Prophet ﷺ saw were poor.
Narrated `Imran bin Husain:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I looked into Paradise and found that the majority of its dwellers were the poor people, and I looked into the (Hell) Fire and found that the majority of its dwellers were women
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا سَلْمُ بْنُ زَرِيرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو رَجَاءٍ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " اطَّلَعْتُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَرَأَيْتُ أَكْثَرَ أَهْلِهَا الْفُقَرَاءَ، وَاطَّلَعْتُ فِي النَّارِ فَرَأَيْتُ أَكْثَرَ أَهْلِهَا النِّسَاءَ ". تَابَعَهُ أَيُّوبُ وَعَوْفٌ، وَقَالَ صَخْرٌ وَحَمَّادُ بْنُ نَجِيحٍ عَنْ أَبِي رَجَاءٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ.
Look at those below you in wealth, not only those above you.
Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:When one of you looks at one who stands at a higher level than you in regard to wealth and physical structure he should also see one who stands at a lower level than you in regard to these things (in which he stands) at a higher level (as compared to him)
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ قُتَيْبَةُ حَدَّثَنَا وَقَالَ، يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا الْمُغِيرَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحِزَامِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا نَظَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى مَنْ فُضِّلَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْخَلْقِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَسْفَلَ مِنْهُ مِمَّنْ فُضِّلَ عَلَيْهِ " .
The believer's affairs are all good, through gratitude in ease and patience in hardship.
Suhaib reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it
حَدَّثَنَا هَدَّابُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ الأَزْدِيُّ، وَشَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، جَمِيعًا عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لِشَيْبَانَ - حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا ثَابِتٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ صُهَيْبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " عَجَبًا لأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لأَحَدٍ إِلاَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ " .