Fitnah al-Maal: Not to Give Wealth More Importance Than it Deserves (Part 37 - FINAL)

Follow @AhleDhikr

We cant be deceived by wealth and seeking to amass it. We cant give wealth more importance than worshiping Allaah and acts of obedience to Him.

It is true that we have a natural love for it:

“And you love wealth with much love!” [al-Fajr 89:20]

But we must use this wealth as a tool to gain the Pleasure of Allaah, the Exalted, and an elevated station in Jannah. Make your wealth a point of benefit for you and for those around you. Do not be deceived by those who have been given wealth and are laying in wait for the punishment of Allaah to descend upon them in the Dunyaa and the Aakhirah. Be warned against using your wealth in disobedience to Him and in thinking that there is no harm in doing so.

“Nuh (Noah) said: "My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children give him no increase but only loss.” [Nooh 71:21]

What was their end?

“Because of their sins they were drowned, then were made to enter the Fire, and they found none to help them instead of Allah.” [Nooh 71:25]

I ask Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, that He Provides for you and that makes you of those who use it in gaining His Pleasure. Oh Allaah! Give us all Halaal provisions and make us of those who spend in acts of obedience, by Your Mercy, oh those Who is Most Merciful from those who show Mercy.

May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions in abudance.

And Allah Knows best.

Fitnah al-Maal: Steadfastness Upon the Religion Will Open the Doors for All Goodness (Part 36)

Follow @AhleDhikr

I conclude with a well-known narrative from the Seerah of the Prophet. 

The Prophet was calling to Tawheed and the religion of al-Islaam, to the dislike of the Quraysh. Some of them approached the Prophet with a proposal; he was to forsake his call in exchange for power, wealth and women. They gave him a choice of whatever he wanted from the Dunyaa. In reality, they were offering him the Dunyaa on the condition that he becomes quiet and stops calling to Allaah. 

Did he have any doubt? Rather, he was steadfast but what is interesting to note is the end result. After years of calling to Allaah and torture, and after years of remaining steadfast upon it seeking the Pleasure of the Lord of all Glory and Might, seeking the highest station in Jannah;

“And also (He will give you) another (blessing) which you love, help from Allah (against your enemies) and a near victory. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad  ) to the believers.” [as-Saff 61:13]

In replacement for them remaining steadfast upon the religion, the doors of all goodness in the Dunyaa and wealth was opened to them. Favours, lands, empires, all folded to them, yet it is important to note, that the wealth they gained was wealth that was beneficial for them and for others. The point behind all of this is for us to realise that wealth is a test and we are being examined by it.

“Your wealth and your children are only a trial, whereas Allah! With Him is a great reward (Paradise).” [at-Taghaabun 64:15]

Fitnah al-Maal: Wealth and it['s Connection to at-Tawheed: Don't Fear Your Enemy But Fear the Punishment of Allaah for the Wickedness of Your Own Selves (Part 35)

Follow @AhleDhikr

It is upon us to all fear Allaah in our wealth and provisions.  When Allaah talks about the Kuffaar and the wealth they have been given, He always explains that the wealth given to them is a form of punishment that they are being punished by.

“Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcomed. And those who disbelieve will be gathered unto Hell.” [al-Anfaal 8:36]

Don’t be befooled by your enemy and the wealth they possess. Don’t fear them, rather fear your own deeds and the consquences thereof. Fear that Allaah can Punish you through your enemy. It could be that He allows your enemy to overcome because of a weakness of your Emaan, not that they have been favoured upon you.

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned” [ash-Shoora 42:30]

There is no mention of wealth in this Aayah, or the strength of your enemy, or their intellgience or their skills – all of it boils down to you and your deeds.

The opposite is also true, Allaah, the Most High, will Assist His pious slaves because of their good deeds and piety. 

“Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth, (i.e. Day of Resurrection),” [Ghaafir 40:51]

And,

“and (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them).” [ar-Room 30:47]

Fitnah al-Maal: The Correct Approach to Spending (Part 34)

Follow @AhleDhikr

So what is the correct approach?

“And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” [al-Furqaan 25:67]

Examples of this are aplenty today. How many are those who cant afford it but enter into car showrooms and buy brand-new cars?

“And give not unto the foolish your property which Allah has made a means of support for you.” [an-Nisaa’ 4:5]

Fitnah al-Maal: The Disease of Extravagance and Wasting (Part 33)

Follow @AhleDhikr

In another way in which a person is tested in his wealth is testing the persons extravagance or degree of wasting. Extravagance is to spend more than one can afford on a commodity and wasting is spending more than its value. Through these, one can be disobeying Allaah via their wealth.

“ but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance).” [al-‘Araaf 7:31]

And,

“But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayatin (devils), and the Shaitan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.” [al-Israa 17:26-27]

Fitnah al-Maal: The Man's Responsibilities with Wealth (Part 32)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Another important point connected to our relationship with our wealth is the attitude we have in maintaining those whom we are responsible for. Some are negligent thus are sinning due to the wealth they possess. Maintaining those who you are responsible for us a religious obligation and if this is not upheld, the person who is responsible is sinning.

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means.” [an-Nisaa 4:34]

And,

“the father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother's food and clothing on a reasonable basis” [al- Baqarah 2:233]

Fitnah al-Maal: His Sole Purpose Was to Use His Wealth to Destroy al-Islaam (Part 31)

Follow @AhleDhikr

In another incident, the Muslims and the Kuffaar of Quraysh during their battles, Umayyah bin Khalaf was killed. His son, Safwaan, swore vengeance. He amassed wealth and weapons to wage war against Muhammad and his people. He spent a long time gathering these weapons and spent a lot of effort in rallying the people to support him. His sole purpose was to use all of his wealth and the weapons that he had accrued, to kill the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him].

What actually happened was the complete opposite of Safwaan’s plan. When the Prophet liberated Makkah he asked Safwaan to lend the Muslims his weapons in order for the Muslims to fight the Kuffaar of Taif. The very same weapons that had been gathered to kill the Prophet, was used by the Muslims in killing their enemy, for the sake of promoting the Religion of Allaah.

We firmly believe that the universe belongs to Allaah, and He is the One Who Decrees within it. He Decrees what happens to our wealth and provisions – He Gives to Whom He Pleases and Witholds from Whom He Chooses.

To be continued and completed after Ramadhaan, إن شاء الله. 

And Allaah Knows best.

Fitnah al-Maal: Allaah Can Avert Anxiety in a Matter of Moments (Part 30)

Follow @AhleDhikr

How many instances are there in which we are left bewildered by the Wisdom of Allaah and how He Controls the provisions of His Slaves where wealth gets exchanged from one person to another in a matter of a few moments?

About Banoo Quraythaa, Allaah, the Most High, Says:

“And He caused you to inherit their lands, and their houses, and their riches, and a land which you had not trodden (before). And Allah is Able to do all things.” [al-Ahzaab 33:27]

Banoo Quraytha had a pact with the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him], however in this particular battle, the level of fear and desperation reached its peak. They were faced by the enemy from all directions. The Quraysh, Banee Ghatafaan and their allies from the Arabs had gathered and surrounded al-Madeenah. From within, the hypocrites and the Jews were plotting and planning against the Muslims also. 

Within the midst of this standoff with the Mushriks, the Jews from inside al-Madeenah broke their pact and proved treacherous. Added to all of this, the nights were long and cold as it occurred during the winter. Not only did they have rations in their provisions, but their morale and ability was severely tested. 

The Aid of Allaah came upon them all of a sudden - a cold, barren wind was sent upon Quraysh and their allies and they were forced to disperse. Once this threat had ceased, the Prophet and his Companions were then able to focus their attention to the Jews who had broken their treaty. They surrounded Banee Quraythaa, and without even a battle, just as they were surrounded by the Muhsriks of Arabia, they went into Banee Quraytha and took the wealth and the riches of the Jews without a single skirmish. 

The Muslims from a sense of weakness were given power and honour in a matter of moments. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon] asked the leader of Ansaar, Sa’d bin Mu’aadth [may Allaah be Pleased with him] to make a ruling on their captives.

“And He caused you to inherit their lands, and their houses, and their riches, and a land which you had not trodden (before). And Allah is Able to do all things.” [al-Ahzaab 33:27]

Fitnah al-Maal: Increase Provision By Admitting Your Weakness to Allaah (Part 29)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Likewise from the greatest means of bringing about provision is to supplicate sincerely to Him. Ask Him and supplicate to Him to Give you, that He Assists you in paying off your debts, that He Gives you wealth and the guidance with it so that you may worship Him.

“so seek your provision from Allah (Alone)” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:17]

And,

“and ask Allah of His Bounty.” [an-Nisaa 4:32]

One of the names of the Lord of all Glory and Might is al-Kareem, meaning He is the Generous One. He responds to those who supplicate to Him.

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad  ) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.” [al-Baqarah 2:186]

And,

“And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation).” [Ghaafir 40:60]

Fitnah al-Maal: Taking the Means Via Employment (Part 28)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Another important point we must understand in trying to increase our provision is that we must take the appropriate means to gain it.

“He knows that there will be some among you sick, others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah's Bounty” [al-Muzzamil 73:20]

And,

“disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working, etc.)” [al-Jumu’ah 62:10]

And,

“He it is, Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it, etc.), so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection.” [al-Mulk 67:15]

And,

“so seek your provision from Allah (Alone)” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:17]

Fitnah al-Maal: Taqwaa is the Truest Employment For Wealth (Part 27)

Follow @AhleDhikr

The Lord of all Might and Glory has given the believers a way out. He has Assisted them in given them an oppurtunity to reach high status with the wealth that He has Given to them. Subhaan–Allaah; how amazing is this fact!? Your Lord, the One Who Owns all Dominion, out of His Love for you and all His Slaves has given them many different routes to gain His Pleasure through the provision He Gives to them.

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.” [at-Talaaq 65:2-3]

And,

“Whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.” [at-Talaaq 65:4]

These Aayaat are clear in their meaning; at-Taqwaa is the greatest way of a slave being increased and blessed in his provisions. 

Fitnah al-Maal: Wealth Increases or Decreases Your Emaan (Part 26)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, Says:

“155. And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).

156. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."

157. They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones.” [al-Baqarah 2:155-157]

And,

“You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves” [aal ‘Imraan 3:186]

There is no doubt that each and every one of us will be tested in our wealth – will we be patient or will we be from the losers?

Based on this, from the greatest criterion to check your level of Emaan is to ask yourself, "Are you spending and using your wealth in the path of goodness"?

If you want to know the strength of your Emaan, because your Emaan fluctuates - it increases and decreases, then ask your self this question. It is important to all of us. 

Do you use your wealth in the path of Allaah? 

Do you use it spread goodness and benefit others? 

Do you give precedence to your wealth and savings to the Pleasure of Allaah? 

Fitnah al-Maal: Gradual Punishment (Part 25)

Follow @AhleDhikr

As for others, if he is given he rejoices and sees himself as being successful. He feels no need to increase in doing good deeds and seeking even further the Pleasure of his Lord, despite the fact that he is weak and poor, and in desperate need of good deeds. His benchmark of success if with his wealth. He feels that if he is given then it shows that Allaah is Pleased with him. The Shaytaan is toying with such a person. In this case, the person is only given this wealth as a means of gradual punishment against him.

“We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” [al-An’aam 6:44]

Don’t trust yourself if you have such thoughts. Do not think for even a moment that you have been given what you have been given because Allaah is Pleased with you. It could be that you have wealth as a means of gradual punishment against you. It could be a test and an examination. Likewise, if you are deprived from wealth then also take heed, it could be that your Lord is Displeased with you. Whatever situation you find yourself in, the position of the believer is to seek the Pleasure of His Lord in times of prosperity and despair. 

Fitnah al-Maal: Wealth is Not Unimportant (Part 24)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Wealth is not a trivial matter. This is just an example on how a person needs to remain diligent in preserving his wealth.

Other areas in which most people are afflicted with punishment as a result of their relationship with their wealth includes the tests that they are faced with. Allaah, the Most High, has Decreed that His Creation will be tested in their wealth. They have been given wealth so that they be tested. How will they act? Will they give when they are given to, or will they be happy and pleased when they are deprived?

The people of al-Emaan are those who have patience. They never show anger to the Decree of Allaah.

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “How magnificent is the affair of the believer!? Whatever situation he finds himself in, it is good for him and this is for none other than a believer. If he is given, he gives thanks and this is good for him. If he is witheld, he has patience and this is good for him.[1]”

---

[1] Muslim (2999).

Fitnah al-Maal: Initiating War with the All-Powerful Over a Penny? (Part 23)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Likewise there is interest – that which brings the Anger and Punishment of Allaah and the one usurping it is declaring war against Allaah and His Messenger.

“278. O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from Riba(usury) (from now onward), if you are (really) believers.

279. And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allah and His Messenger” [al-Baqarah 2:278-279]

How can we expose ourselves to such a sin when its criminality is made clear to us through these Aayaat? 

At times, this punishment is even brought about by the expense of a few pennies!

It is quite often to find transactions which are permissible and wholesome, however a stipulation in the fine print could mean that one of the parties pays a very small amount of interest and thus becomes eligible for a severe punishment. 

How meager is the state of such a person? 

He goes to war against Allaah and His Messenger for the sake of a few pennies!?

“Take a notice of war from Allah and His Messenger” [al-Baqarah 2:279]

How many have the audacity to challenge their Lord and go to war with Him over a few pennies!? 

Who has the courage in taking up arms against their Lord?! 

Fitnah al-Maal: Disobedience in Wealth - Corruption (Part 22)

Follow @AhleDhikr

From the greatest cautions we must take heed to in connection to wealth is being wary of falling into Haraam wealth. From the greatest forms of Haraam wealth is bribery.

“And eat up not one another's property unjustly (in any illegal way e.g. stealing, robbing, deceiving, etc.), nor give bribery to the rulers (judges before presenting your cases) that you may knowingly eat up a part of the property of others sinfully.” [al-Baqarah 2:188]

And,

“Eat not up your property among yourselves unjustly except it be a trade amongst you, by mutual consent” [an-Nisaa 4:29]

And,

“Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only a fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!” [an-Nisaa 4:10]

Fitnah al-Maal: The True Reality of Passing Beauty (Part 21)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Allaah, the Glorified and the Most High, has given us similes and parables in this regard in His Book in regards to the reality of wealth and treasures. If you have a wall, not matter how much you beautify it, it remains to be a wall. It is made of mud and clay, and this reality does not change. Just by placing on it treasures and wealth doesn’t make it any greater in its true status and value.

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers, evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers, good-doers), whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.” [al-Hadeed 57:20]

Contemplate on this Aayah and you will have the greatest of understandings of the true reality of wealth. You could amass a lot of wealth, but its simile is that of spring. Wealth comes and it is bound to decay. The parable given here is like a lush farm, its greenery is pleasing to the eye but when the season comes, it is bound to rot and become brown and yellow until it is carried away by the wind.

Fitnah al-Maal: Wealth and a Presumed Self-Importance (Part 20)

Follow @AhleDhikr

With all of this it is incumbent upon us to give wealth its just estimation. It is upon us to knows it true position in our lives so that we fulfill the rights of Allaah through it. Wealth is a gift from Allaah. It doesn’t actually belong to you. It is not given to you because of your skills, or qualifications or or the degree of your ability or the amount of work you put in to get it. This is like what Qaaroon said:

"This has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess." [al-Qassas 28:78]

No matter how intelligent you are, there will always be people who are more intelligent than you. 

No matter what skills you think you possess, there will always be people who have greater skills than you. 

Irrespective of the features you think you have possessed in order to get your wealth, none of those who came before you who had the same mentality were helped by their wealth. 

Their wealth could not save them in the slightest. This is visible and plain for us all to witness. If this is true status of wealth, then the only conclusion is that wealth is not ours because we deserve it, rather it is a gift given to us by Allaah. It has nothing to do with us and our abilities.

“Then We gave you once again, a return of victory over them. And We helped you with wealth and children and made you more numerous in man power.

7. (And We said): "If you do good, you do good for your ownselves, and if you do evil (you do it) against yourselves." [al-Israa 17:6-7]

Fitnah al-Maal: Save Yourself with Just Half a Date (Part 19)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Caution! It is possible that a person enters the blazing fire due to half a date, yes, just half a date!

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “There is none of you except Allaah Will Talk to them without there being any need for translators. If he looks to his right he will see his deeds, if he looks to his left he will see his deeds. Anywhere he looks, he will only see the deeds that he has sent forth. If he looks ahead of him, he will see the Fire awaiting him. So fear the Fire even it be by half a date![1]”

Parellel to this, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] has promised a great reward and the entering into Jannah to those those who vary in their degree with up to forty different stages. The lowest of them is a person who feeds milk from a sheep that he owns[2]. Minor was his expenditure but multiplied is his reward.

---

[1] Al-Bukhaaree (6539)

[2] Al-Bukhaaree (2631)

Fitnah al-Maal: Why Worship Allaah with Our Wealth? (Part 18)

Follow @AhleDhikr

Why do we obey Allaah through our wealth?

Firstly, because Allaah is the Provider. He is the One Who Favours and Gives us from His Bounties. If this is case, then it is obligatory upon us to thank Him, by obeying Him through the wealth He has Given to us.

Secondly, if you obey Allaah through your wealth and fulfill the rights that wealth has over you, then through this, you are safeguarding yourself against the Anger and Punishment of Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted. You are safeguarding yourself from the Fire of Jahannam.

“On the Day when that (Al-Kanz: money, gold and silver, etc., the Zakat of which has not been paid) will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them):-"This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard.” [at-Tawbah 9:35]

In this Aayah is the example of a person who doesn’t pay his Zakaat, so what is his punishment – his skin is stretched out-forth, for every cell and part of his skin, the wealth he had hoarded is placed on it. However, the wealth he had hoarded will be blazed with the fire of Jahannam.

"This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard.” [at-Tawbah 9:35]

When this person enters their grave, his hoarded will come to him with an extremely foul smell and ghastly of in its appearance. The person in the grave will ask, “What are you?” It will reply by saying, “I am your savings.[1]”

Wealth is used to gain the Pleasure of Allaah, the Lord of Glory and Might and to ward off His Punishment.

---

[1] See Tafseer Ibn Katheer (2/152) and in classed as Saheeh in Mukhtasar al-Bazzaar by Ibn Hajar (1/371)