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The attachment to wealth and material possessions is an inherent aspect
of human nature, deeply embedded within the psyche. It is so profoundly
ingrained that the Qur'an itself acknowledges this reality:
"Indeed, mankind is, to his Lord, ungrateful; and indeed, he is, to his
wealth, extremely loving." (An-Nām 6–8)
This overwhelming affection for wealth leads individuals to mistakenly believe
that accumulating material riches will fulfill their needs and desires. As a
result, they tirelessly amass wealth, driven by the false belief that this will
secure their well-being. This pursuit of wealth often becomes so consuming that
individuals, until their final moments, strive to outdo one another in the
accumulation of riches, regardless of the rights of others. In this relentless
pursuit, they often neglect the higher purpose for which the blessings of God,
including their energies and capabilities, were bestowed upon them, squandering
these divine gifts in the pursuit of avarice.
The mentality that "what I earn is due to my own strength and
abilities, and therefore, I am entitled to spend it as I wish" pervades
the human heart. This mindset fosters a sense of self-sufficiency and
arrogance, creating a barrier between the individual and the recognition of
divine sovereignty. As this attitude of defiance grows, it severs the
individual’s connection to Allah, causing them to mirror the arrogance of
figures like Qarun, who were consumed by their wealth. Such individuals, in
their obsession with wealth, forget that their prosperity is ultimately a gift
from Allah, and that it carries with it the moral responsibility to serve the
needs of His creation.
In contrast, the Qur'an repeatedly encourages believers to cultivate a
sense of detachment from material wealth and to view it as a divine trust. It
urges them to spend in the way of Allah, thereby expressing gratitude for His
blessings and acknowledging that all provisions are granted by Him. This
directive is evident in the Qur'anic verse:
"You will never attain righteousness until you spend of what you
love." (Aal-e-Imran 92)
This command not only emphasizes the importance of charity but also highlights
that true generosity entails giving from that which is most cherished, thus
purifying one’s attachment to worldly possessions.
The scope of charity is further expanded in the Qur'anic injunction:
"O Prophet! They ask you what they should spend. Say: 'Whatever you can
spare beyond your needs.'" (Al-Baqarah 219)
This teaching underscore the principle that charity is not merely a token
gesture but an ongoing obligation to serve the welfare of others, especially
the most vulnerable members of society. The act of giving should begin with
one's own family and relatives, extending outward to encompass the broader
community. Through this process, the wealth that was once hoarded in
self-interest becomes a means for social solidarity and collective well-being.
It is essential to remember that any act of charity or almsgiving should
be performed purely for the sake of Allah, with no expectation of personal
gain, recognition, or fame. The ultimate goal of such acts is to seek the
pleasure of Allah alone, to purify one’s wealth and soul, and to fulfill the
divine mandate to care for His creation. Thus, charity becomes not only a
social duty but also a spiritual act of worship that strengthens the
individual’s connection to the Divine.
Assisting those in need should be done in a discreet manner, so as not
to foster arrogance or pride in the giver, nor to damage the recipient’s
dignity. One must never boast or display an air of superiority when offering
aid, nor seek public recognition for one’s charitable actions. The Qur’an
clearly directs:
"O believers! Do not invalidate your charity by reminders of your
generosity or by injury (to the recipient)." (Al-Baqarah
264)
If anyone approaches you for assistance, refrain from scolding or rebuking
them. If you are unable to provide, offer a polite and gentle refusal with
respect. The Qur'an admonishes:
"And do not rebuke the one who asks of you." (Ad-Duha 10)
The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), the epitome of human perfection,
excelled in generosity, charity, and support for the needy. His companions
testify that they had never witnessed anyone more generous than him. The manner
in which he led by example fostered a society where individuals were eager to
spend their wealth in the path of Allah. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was renowned
for ensuring that no one left his door empty-handed. On occasions when he had
no means to provide, he would borrow from others to meet the needs of those who
sought his assistance.
Even before his prophethood, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was known for caring
for orphans, widows, and the poor. Upon the first revelation of divine
guidance, when the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was troubled by the experience, it was
his wife, Khadijah (R.A.), who reassured him with the words:
"Do not worry. Allah will not forsake you. You have been the guardian
of orphans and the protector of widows."
History attests that when the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) married the wealthy Khadijah
(R.A.), she donated all her wealth for the sake of Allah’s cause.
The legacy of the Prophetic example was also reflected within his
household, with his family members continuing this tradition of generosity.
Allah commands them, as He does for all believers:
"They give preference over themselves, even though they are in
need." (Al-Hashr 9)
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) continuously emphasized the importance of using
wealth in the way of Allah. He remarked:
"The son of Adam says: 'My wealth, my wealth!' But your wealth is only
that which you have spent in charity, what you eat has perished, and what you
wear has worn out."
On another occasion, he stated:
"O son of Adam! Giving is better for you, while keeping to yourself is
worse for you."
Thus, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) taught that the true wealth of a person lies not
in accumulation, but in giving, as that which is given in charity remains
eternal in the sight of Allah.
In the light of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), the
utilization of wealth is not solely for individual benefit but must be directed
towards the well-being of the broader community. This responsibility is
essential in fostering both personal spiritual growth and societal harmony. The
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) unequivocally expressed his disapproval of the excessive
accumulation of wealth and emphasized its proper use in aiding those in need.
His actions and sayings establish that wealth must circulate within the society
to alleviate the economic disparities and fulfill the needs of the
underprivileged.
As narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (R.A.), the Prophet (P.B.U.H.)
instructed his followers to redistribute surplus wealth:
"Whoever has excess camels for transportation, let him give it to one
who lacks them. Whoever possesses surplus provisions for the journey, let him
give it to one who is in need."
Abu Sa’id (R.A.) further reports that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) expanded on this
notion, including various forms of wealth, making it clear that no individual
had a legitimate claim to hold onto wealth in excess of their needs while
others lacked basic necessities.
The significance of this teaching is profound: it not only calls for an
ethical approach to wealth but also promotes a model of social responsibility
and economic equity. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) instructed that wealth should serve
the collective good, and through its distribution, societal imbalance could be
addressed. This directive lays a foundation for a just economic order where the
wealthy are reminded of their duty to assist the less fortunate, and the
well-being of the community is prioritized over individual accumulation.
Thus, the Sunnah of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) underscores the moral
imperative to manage wealth judiciously, ensuring it contributes to the
flourishing of both the individual and the collective, while discouraging the
hoarding of resources that could otherwise alleviate the suffering of the
needy.
Tajalliyat-The Divine Manifestation
KHWAJA SHAMS-UD-DEEN AZEEMI
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MERCIFUL, THE BENEVOLENT
Dedicated to those scientists, who are inching towards the cognizance of the facts, spotlighted by Allah Almighty, in the wake of their intelligent observation for the top vertex of scientific achievement, which is not other than the "Disastrous end of the Universe". And this is probably during 15th century of Lunar calendar.
