Introductory Remarks
Allah created human beings. Allah has placed numerous needs within the human essence. Again, this same Allah has created everything necessary to fulfill human needs.
Moreover, Allah has given human beings knowledge, intellect, and the capacity for work so that they may acquire, transform, and consume and use resources to fulfill their needs.
By applying this knowledge, intellect, and capacity for work, human beings exercise authority over countless creations of Allah.
Some of people’s needs are fulfilled automatically. Some needs people can fulfill through individual effort. To fulfill some needs, people must seek the cooperation of other people. In fact, families, various social organizations, financial institutions, and states are formed precisely to fulfill people’s diverse needs.
People need air to survive. Allah has fulfilled this need by placing a complete atmosphere around the earth.
This need is fulfilled automatically. Through the respiratory system, air automatically travels to and from the human lungs. People do not have to suffer or make an effort to meet their need for air.
On winter days, heat is needed to drive away the cold. One of the main ways to obtain heat is to bask in the sun. If someone wants to escape the cold, the cold goes away when they stand in the sun. In this way, they do not need anyone’s cooperation to obtain heat. That is, they can fulfill this need on their own.
People need food to survive. Allah created the soil suitable for producing grains, fruits, leafy vegetables, garden vegetables, and the like. The soil must be tilled, seeds must be sown in it, and the seedlings must be tended to ensure their production. Then these foods must be boiled in a pot over a stove to make them suitable for eating.
To fulfill the need for food, at the various stages of producing foodstuffs and preparing food, a person must seek the cooperation of other people and must use the tools that other people have made by transforming the elements Allah has stored throughout the earth. That is, a person cannot fulfill this need alone.
The list of human needs is quite long. People need food, water, homes, clothing, medicine, education, opportunities to express their thoughts, vehicles, security, and remedies for sleep problems, and so on.
Everything Allah has provided of blessings to meet all human needs, to make human life comfortable, to make human life beautiful, and to elevate human life is all people’s rizq.
It should be noted that Allah also arranges the rizq of other creations.
The Command to Seek Rizq
In the arena of this world, believers must devote themselves to two struggles. One is the struggle to earn halal livelihood; the other is the struggle to establish Allah’s deen.
Being indifferent to earning a livelihood, abandoning worldly life, becoming an ascetic or a monk, and turning away from the struggle to establish Allah’s deen are not ways of life prescribed by Islam.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said, “There is no monasticism in Islam.”لَأَرَهْبَانِيَّةَ فِي الْإِسْلام
“There is no monasticism or asceticism in Islam.” [Musnad Ahmad]
Allah, Lord of the worlds, says,وَرَهْبَانِيَّةَ فِي ابْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنُهَا عَلَيْهِمْ
“As for monasticism, they invented it themselves; I did not impose it upon them.” [Al-Hadid 57:27]
قُل مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللهِ الَّتى أَخْرَجَ لعباده والطيبتُ من الرِّزْقِ قُلْ هى الذينَ آمَنُوا فى الحيوة الدُّنْيَا خَالِصةً يُوْمَ الْقِيَامَة ط
“Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah that He has brought forth for His servants, and the pure things of provision? Say: They are for the believers in the life of this world, and exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection.” That is, because they are obedient servants of Allah, believers are the rightful claimants to enjoy and use these things. [Al-A’raf 7:32]
وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنكُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَايِشَ قَلِيلاً ما تَشْكُرُونَ
“We established you firmly on earth and provided for you means of livelihood therein. Little do you give thanks.” [Al-A’raf 7:10]
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا
“He is the One who created for you everything on earth.” [Al-Baqarah 2:29]
واتْكُم مِّنْ كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ – وَإِنْ تَعُدُّ نِعمت الله لا تحصوها
“He has given you all that you ask for—that is, everything necessary to fulfill your needs. If you try to count Allah’s blessings, you will not be able to do so.” [Ibrahim 14:34]
هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضِ ذَلُولاً فَامْشُوا فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا مِنْ رِزْقِهِ ، وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُور
“He is the One who made the earth submissive for you. So walk through its regions and eat from the rizq provided by Allah. Then you will be resurrected and returned to Him.” [Al-Mulk 67:15]
.يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلوةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إلى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ. فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلُوةُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ
وَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ.
“O you who believe, when the call is made for prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave business. That is better for you, if only you knew. Then, when the prayer has been completed, disperse throughout the land and seek Allah’s bounty, and remember Allah frequently so that you may prosper.” [Al-Jumu’ah 62:9–10]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
أطْلُبُوا الرِّزْقَ فِي خَبَايَا الْأَرْضِ
“Seek rizq in the deepest parts of the earth.” [Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), Musnad Abi Ya’la]
Allah, Lord of the worlds, says,
وَاَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرَّبوا
“Allah has made trade lawful and has forbidden usury.” [Al-Baqarah 2:275]
لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ تَبْتَغُوا فَضْلاً مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ
“There is no blame upon you if, during Hajj, you seek bounty from your Lord.” [Al-Baqarah 2:198]
وَجَعَلْنَا أيَةَ النَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةٌ لتَبْتَغُوا فَضْلاً مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ
“And We made the day bright so that you may seek bounty from your Lord.” [Bani Isra’il 17:12]
وَجَعَلْنَا النَّهَارَ مَعَاشا
“And We made the day a time for earning a livelihood.” [An-Naba 78:11]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
ما أكل أَحَدٌ طَعَامًا قَطُّ خَيْرًا مِّنْ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ مِنْ عَمَلِ يَدَيْهِ.
“No one has ever eaten better food than that which he earns with his own hands.” [Al-Miqdam ibn Ma’di Karib (may Allah be pleased with him), Sahih al-Bukhari]
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked, “Which earning is best?”
He said,
عمَلُ الرَّجُلِ بِيَدِهِ وَكُلُّ بَيْعٌ مُبْرُورٍ
“A person’s earnings by his own hands and every honest trade.” [Rafi’ ibn Khadij (may Allah be pleased with him), Mishkat al-Masabih]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
إذَا صَلَّيْتُمُ الْفَجْرَ فَلاَ تَنُومُوا عَنْ طَلْبٍ أَرْزَاقِكُمْ
“After performing the Fajr prayer, do not sleep instead of engaging in seeking your rizq.” [Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), Al-Qawl al-Musaddad]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
طَلَبُ كَسْبِ الْحَلَالِ فَرِيْضَةً بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ
“Seeking halal livelihood is an obligation after the prescribed obligations.” [Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him), Sunan al-Bayhaqi]
Allah Alone Provides Rizq
“From the beginning of creation until the Day of Resurrection, Allah has calculated and placed on earth all the means of food for every kind of creature He will create, according to each one’s precise needs and requirements. On land and in water there are countless kinds of plants, each class having food-related needs different from all other classes. Allah has created countless species of animals in the atmosphere, on land, and in water, and each species requires its own type of food. Moreover, human beings are a creation completely different from all these species. Human beings need various kinds of food not only for the body’s nourishment and growth, but also for the satisfaction of their tastes. Could anyone besides Allah have known which classes of creatures, in what numbers, where, and at what times, would exist on this earth made of soil from the beginning of life until its end, and how much and what kind of food would be needed to sustain them? Just as, according to His plan of creation, He planned to create these creatures dependent on food, likewise He made complete arrangements to supply food to fulfill their needs.” [Tafhim al-Qur’an, Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi, vol. 14, commentary on Surah Ha-Mim as-Sajdah, note 12]
Allah, Lord of the worlds, says,
وَكَأَيِّنْ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ لا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَأَيَّاكُمْ
“There are countless living creatures that do not carry their stores of rizq. Allah provides rizq for them, and He provides it for you as well.” [Al-Ankabut 29:60]
وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلا عَلَى اللهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ، كُلُّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِين
“There is no creature on earth whose rizq is not Allah’s responsibility. He knows where each one resides and where it is deposited. Everything is recorded in a clear Book.
[Hud 11:6]
إنَّ اللهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ
“Indeed, Allah is the Provider of rizq, the Possessor of unshakable power.” [Adh-Dhariyat 51:58]
وَالْأَرْضَ مَدَدْنَهَا وَالْقَيْنَا فِيهَا رَوَاسِي وَأَنْبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ موزون وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَايِشَ وَمَنْ لَسْتُمْ لَه برزقين، وَإِنْ مِّنْ شَيْءٍ الأعِنْدَنَا خَزَانته ، وَمَا نُنَزِّلُه الا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ
“I spread out the earth, set firm mountains upon it, and caused various kinds of plants to grow in it in due measure. In it I provided means of livelihood for you and for those whose provider of rizq you are not. There is nothing whose storehouse is not with Him, and I send it down only in a known measure.” [Al-Hijr 15:19–21]
وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَاسى مِنْ فَوْقِهَا وَبرَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدْرَ فِيهَا أَقْوَاتَهَا في أربَعَةِ أَيَّامٍ ، سَوَاءٌ للسَّائِلِينَ
“After bringing the earth into existence, He set mountains upon it, blessed it, and determined within it the rizq of all who ask, in the proper measure according to their needs, in only four days.” [Ha-Mim as-Sajdah 41:10]
قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
“Allah has appointed a measure for everything.” [At-Talaq 65:3]
نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ مُعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَابَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجت لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّاطوَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
“We have distributed their livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raised some of them above others in rank so that some may take others in service. The mercy of your Lord is better than what they accumulate.” [Az-Zukhruf 43:32]
اللهُ لَطِيفٌ بِعِبَادِهِ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ، وَهُوَ الْقَوِيُّ الْعَزِيزُ
“Allah is subtle and gracious to His servants. He provides rizq to whom He wills. He is the All-Strong, the Almighty.” [Ash-Shura 42:19]
قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يُشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُلَهُ ط وَمَا أَنْفَقْتُم مِّنْ شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ ، وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ
“Say: My Lord gives abundant rizq to whichever of His servants He wills and restricts it for whomever He wills. Whatever you spend, He will replace it with more. He is the best of providers.” [Saba 34:39]
لَهُ مَقَالِيْدُ السَّمَوتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ، يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ، إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
“The keys of the heavens and the earth belong to Him. He gives abundant rizq to whom He wills and gives less to whom He wills. Indeed, He has knowledge of everything.” [Ash-Shura 42:12]
أَوَ لَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ط إِنَّ في ذَلِكَ لَأَنْتَ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
“Do they not know that Allah gives abundant rizq to whom He wills and restricts the rizq of whom He wills? Surely in this are signs for those who believe.” [Az-Zumar 39:52]
قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يُشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاس لا يَعْلَمُونَ
“Say: Indeed, my Lord gives abundant rizq to whom He wills and restricts rizq for whom He wills. But most people do not understand its significance.” [Saba 34:36]
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلاَقِ ، نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُم ط إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خطاً كَبِيرًا
“Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. I will provide rizq for them, and for you as well. Indeed, killing them is a grave sin.” [Bani Isra’il 17:31]
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلادَكُمْ مِنْ اخلاق ، نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ
“And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. I provide rizq for you, and I will provide for them as well.” [Al-An’am 6:151]
وَلَوْ بَسَطَ اللَّهُ الرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهِ لَبَغَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَكِنْ يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَاءُ ط
“If Allah were to give His servants unlimited rizq, they would spread rebellion throughout the earth. But He sends down rizq in a specified measure according to His will.” [Ash-Shura 42:27]
فَابْتَغُوا عِنْدَ الله الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوا وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ
“Therefore, seek rizq from Allah, worship Him, and give thanks to Him.” [Al-Ankabut 29:17]
Allah Tests People Through the Abundance or Restriction of Rizq
Whatever Allah, Lord of the worlds, has given anyone in the life of this world, He has given only as a test.
Allah gives wealth, power and authority, influence and prestige, and so on, as a test. He wants to see whether, after receiving these things, a person gives thanks to Him or becomes ungrateful.
Again, Allah gives poverty, hardship, calamities, and so on as a test. He wants to see whether, when afflicted by poverty, hardship, and calamities, a person remains content with His decree and exercises patience, or breaks the bounds of morality and begins to disobey Him.
Allah, Lord of the worlds, says,
فَأَمَّا الْإِنْسَانُ إِذَا مَا ابْتَلَهُ رَبُّهُ فَأَكْرَمَهُ وَنَعْمَهُ لَا فَيَقُولُ رَبِّي أكْرَ من وَأَمَّا إِذَا مَا ابْتَلَهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقَهُ ، فَيَقُولُ رَبِّي آهَانَنِ
“But as for the human being: when his Lord tests him, honors him, and blesses him, he says, ‘My Lord has honored me.’ But when He tests him and restricts his rizq, he says, ‘My Lord has humiliated me.’” [Al-Fajr 89:15–16]
It should also be noted that Allah, Lord of the worlds, creates some people handsome and others ugly.
He creates some with strong, well-built bodies and others with weak bodies.
He creates some intelligent and others unintelligent.
He creates some with exceptional memories and others without memory.
He creates some with sound limbs and others disabled. He creates some with sight and others without sight. He creates some with authority and others without authority.
He creates some famous and others unknown.
All these conditions are tests for human beings. It is people’s duty to remain constantly aware and strive to pass the test.
Obedient Individuals and Nations Receive Rizq Easily
In the life of this world and the life of the Hereafter, people’s welfare or harm is determined according to their deeds. It is not normal for Allah to overwhelm a person with livelihood-related distress if that person lives obediently toward Allah on earth.
Allah, Lord of the worlds, says,
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ. .
“Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for him from difficult circumstances and provide for him in ways he could never have imagined.” [At-Talaq 65:2–3]
[However, if Allah, Lord of the worlds, places an individual or a group of individuals in poverty, hardship, or some other calamity to test the firmness of their iman, that is a different matter. Regarding this, Allah the Exalted says,
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ
‘We will certainly test you with something of fear, hunger, and loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. And give glad tidings to those who are patient.’ [Al-Baqarah 2:155]
وَ أَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُمْ مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ ، وَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنِّى أخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِير
“And if you seek forgiveness from your Lord and turn to Him, He will grant you good provision for a specified term and bestow His grace upon everyone deserving of grace. But if you turn away, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day.” [Hud 3]
و يُقَوْمِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مدْرَارًا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلى قُوتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَلُّوا مُجْرِمِينَ
“And, O my people, seek forgiveness from your Lord and turn to Him; then He will open the gates of heaven for you and add strength to your present strength. Do not turn away as criminals.” [Hud 52]
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُوا التَّوْرَةَ وَالْإِنْجِيلَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ كَلُوا مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِنْ تَحْتِ اَرْجُلِهِمْ ط مِنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌ مُقْتَصِدَةٌ م وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَاءَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ
“And if they had upheld the Torah, the Gospel, and what was revealed to them from their Lord, they would have received provision from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them is a moderate community, but many of them do evil deeds.” [Al-Ma’idah 66]
وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَى امَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَرَكْتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلكِنْ كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْتُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ
“And if the people of the towns had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened for them the blessings of heaven and earth. But they rejected the truth, so We seized them for what they used to earn.” [Al-A‘raf 96]
On the other hand, Allah gives the disobedient person a troubled livelihood.
Allah, Lord of the worlds, says,
ئ فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَ وَمَنْ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَى
“But whoever turns away from My remembrance, from My admonition, will have a straitened (troubled) livelihood, and on the Day of Resurrection I will raise him blind.” [Ta-Ha 124]
Striving to Establish Allah’s Deen
Islam is the code of life prescribed by Allah, Lord of the worlds, for His creation.
The laws established throughout the universe and known as natural laws are in fact laws prescribed by Allah.
In a particular sense, Islam is the way of life given by Allah for humankind. This code contains guidance concerning every aspect and sphere of human life. Since Islam is the way of life given by Allah, it is an accurate, balanced, and beneficial way of life.
Although Allah, Lord of the worlds, has made His laws operative throughout the whole natural world, He has not made His laws operative in human society. His intention is that people willingly accept the way of life given by Him, build their society and civilization upon it, and turn the earth into an abode of peace. Human beings were created precisely to establish the way of life given by Allah on earth. They were appointed precisely to carry out this responsibility from Allah. In other words, human beings are Allah’s representatives on earth. Before creating humankind, Allah, Lord of the worlds, addressed all the angels of the universe and said,
إِنِّي جَاعِلُ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً
“I am going to appoint a representative on earth.” [Al-Baqarah 30]
Again, after human beings came to earth, He reminded them of their position and said,
هُوَ الَّذي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلْيْفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ
“He is the One who appointed you as representatives on earth.” [Fatir 39]
Human beings are Allah’s representatives on this earth. And the mission of human life is Iqamat al-Deen.
Allah, Lord of the worlds, says,
شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِّنَ الدِّيْنِ مَا وَصَّى به نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ ط
“He has prescribed for you the Deen that He enjoined upon Noah, and which We have revealed to you, and which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: establish this Deen and do not create division, disagreement, or separation within it.” [Ash-Shura 13]
The above verse mentions that Noah (peace be upon him), Abraham (peace be upon him), Moses (peace be upon him), and Jesus (peace be upon him) were also commanded to establish the Deen.
This verse names several prophets from different chapters of human history. This does not mean that only these prophets were commanded to establish the Deen. In fact, Allah, Lord of the worlds, is explaining that the life mission of every prophet was Iqamat al-Deen. The life mission of the prophets’ communities was also Iqamat al-Deen.
It should be noted here that the Deen does not become established automatically. Nor can the Deen be established through force or coercion.
Establishing the Deen requires wise struggle. The prophets and messengers taught the method of establishing the Deen.
Allah, Lord of the worlds, sent numerous prophets to human society, one after another. They appeared in different countries of the earth and in different eras. Yet, remarkably, they all adopted the same course of action for establishing the Deen.
The prophets and messengers repeatedly called people to believe in Allah and follow the way of life given by Him.
Wherever there were people, they went there. Sometimes they presented their message to one person, and sometimes to a group of people. They worked day after day, month after month, and year after year. Except for what they spent to meet their basic needs, their time, intellect, labor, and wealth were devoted to this noble work. Those who believed in them followed a similar course of action.
Although Allah sent all people to earth as His representatives to establish His Deen, except for those who responded to the prophets’ call and joined their caravan, the rest made rebellion against Allah their life mission and created disorder on earth. Thus, they became victims of misfortune in earthly life, and because they failed to perform the duty for which they had been sent to earth, they will certainly face severe punishment in the Hereafter.
The Identity of a Successful Life
Most people on earth are seen rushing about like the senseless, indifferent to the true mission of life and driven by a mistaken notion of “success.”
They consider success to be amassing mountains of money in this life, owning enormous mansions, owning numerous business enterprises, being able to live a luxurious life, and surpassing others in influence and prestige.
But in the view of the All-Wise, All-Knowing Allah, Lord of the worlds, the nature of success is different. In numerous verses of the Qur’an, He has described the successful so that people may free themselves from the mistaken notion of “success,” acquire the correct understanding, and adopt the correct course of action.
Allah, Lord of the worlds, says,
ألا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَاهُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَى فِي الْحَياةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الآخِرَةِ ط
“Know that the friends of Allah—those who believe and practice taqwa—will have no fear, nor will they grieve. For them there is good news in this world and in the Hereafter. There is no changing in the words of Allah. That is the great success.” [Yunus 62–64]
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكَهَا . وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسها
“Indeed, successful is the one who purifies himself, and failed is the one who corrupts himself.” [Ash-Shams 9–10]
ياَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنْصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رجس مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“O you who believe, indeed wine, gambling, altars dedicated to others besides Allah, and divining arrows are impure and among Satan’s works. So avoid them, that you may succeed.” [Al-Ma’idah 90]
فَأْتِ ذَالْقُرْبَى حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ، ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ للَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ الله ، وأولَنكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“Give relatives their due, and also the needy and the traveler. This is best for those who seek Allah’s pleasure. Such are the successful.” [Ar-Rum 38]
قُلْ لا يَسْتَوى الخبيث والطيب وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثرَةُ الخَبِيثِ . فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ يُأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“Say: The pure and impure are not equal, even if the abundance of impurity amazes you. O people of understanding, fear Allah, so that you may succeed.” [Al-Ma’idah 100]
ياَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا الرَّبُوا أَضْعَافًا مُّضْعَفَةً وَاتَّقُوا اللهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“O you who believe, do not consume interest compounded manifold. Fear Allah, so that you may succeed.” [Al ‘Imran 130]
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّلِحَتِ فَيُدْخِلُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ فِى رَحْمَتِه ، ذلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْمُبِينُ.
“As for those who believe and perform righteous deeds, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. That is the clear success.” [Al-Jathiyah 30]
الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلوةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ. وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ ، وَبِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ. ُأولَئِكَ عَلَى هُدًى مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ ، وَ أولئكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“Those who believe in the unseen, establish Salat, and spend from what We have provided for them; those who believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you, and who have certainty regarding the Hereafter—they are upon guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.” [Al-Baqarah 3–5]
إنَّمَا كَانَ قَوْلَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ إِذَا دُعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِ لِيَحْكُم بيْنَهُمْ أَنْ يَقُولُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ط وأولئكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“When the believers are called to accept the judgment of Allah and His Messenger, they say, ‘We hear and we obey.’ Such are the successful.” [An-Nur 51]
يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلاً سَدِيدًا. يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ، وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا
“O you who believe, fear Allah and speak straightforward, correct words. Then He will rectify your deeds and forgive your sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has achieved tremendous success.”
الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلوةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكُوةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ أُولَئِكَ عَلَى هُدًى مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“Those who establish Salat, give Zakat, and have certainty regarding the Hereafter—they are upon guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.” [Luqman 4–5]
يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِى الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ ، فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ والرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ مَا ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ و أَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلاً
“O you who believe, obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and obey those vested with authority among you. If you differ over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most appropriate in outcome.” [An-Nisa 59]
به وَ عَزْرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي فَالذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَ عَزْرُوهُ وَنَم أنْزِلَ مَعَها أولئكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“Then those who believe in him, support him, help him, and follow the light sent down with him—the Qur’an—are the successful.” [Al-A‘raf 157]
وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلوةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكُوةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ، أُولَئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ إِنَّ اللهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ. وَعَدَ اللهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَتِ جَنَّتِ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهُرُ خُلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسْكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّتِ عَدْنٍ ط وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ، ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, establish Salat, give Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will soon have mercy on them. Indeed, Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide forever, and good dwellings in the Gardens of Eden. But the greatest thing is Allah’s pleasure. That is the great success.” [At-Tawbah 71–72]
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَشِعُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ. وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكوة فَعِلُونَ. وَالَّذِينَ الفُرُوجِهِمْ حَفِظُونَ إِلا عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ. فَمَنِ ابْتَغَى وَرَاءَ ذلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْعُدُونَ. وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِاَمُنْتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَى صَلَوْتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ُأولَئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْفِرْدَوْس طَهُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.
“Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their Salat, who turn away from futile matters, who are active in acts of purification, who guard their private parts except with their wives and those whom their right hands possess—for they are not blameworthy in this regard. But whoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors; those who faithfully observe their trusts and covenants; and those who strictly guard their Salat. They are the inheritors who will inherit Firdaus, where they will abide forever.” [Al-Mu’minun 1–11]
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَشِعُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكُوةِ فَعِلُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَفِظُونَ إِلَّا عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ فَمَنِ ابْتَغَى وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْعُدُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمْنَتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُوْنَ. أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْفِرْدَوسَ مَا هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Allah is aware of what they do. Tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. [An-Nur 30–31]
They should not display their adornment except what naturally appears.
They should draw their veils over their chests.
They should not display their adornment except before their husbands, fathers, fathers-in-law, sons, stepsons, brothers, nephews, close female acquaintances, their slaves, male attendants without sexual desire, and children who are unaware of women’s private matters.
They should not stamp their feet on the ground in order to reveal to people the adornment they conceal.
O believers, turn to Allah in repentance, all of you. Hopefully you will succeed.”
وَلْتَكُن مِّنْكُمْ أُمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ طَ وَأُولَنكَ
“There must be a group among you that calls people to goodness, enjoins Ma‘ruf, and forbids Munkar. Such are the successful.” [Al ‘Imran 104]
فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَاطِيْعُوا وَأَنْفِقُوا خَيْرًا لانْفُسِكُمْ ، وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُون
“So fear Allah as best you can, listen, obey, and spend in charity. That is better for you. Those who are protected from the stinginess of their own souls are the successful.” [At-Taghabun 16]
الفُقَرَاءِ الْمُهْجِرِينَ الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا وَيَنْصُرُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ط أولَئِكَ هُمُ الصَّدِقُوْنَ وَالَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيْمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مما أُوتُوا وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ طَ وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“(That wealth is) for the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes and possessions, seeking Allah’s grace and pleasure. They are the truthful.”
“(It is also for) those who had settled in the land and embraced faith before the emigrants came. They love those who migrated to them, and they feel no desire in their hearts for what has been given to the emigrants.
“They give others preference over themselves, even when they themselves are in need. Those who are protected from the stinginess of their own souls are the successful.” [Al-Hashr 8–9]
ياَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الوَسيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا في سَبِيْلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“O you who believe, fear Allah, seek the means of nearness to Him, and strive in His path, so that you may succeed.” [Al-Ma’idah 35]
اِنَّ اللّهَ اسْتَرى مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اَنْفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الجنَّةَ ، يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الله فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ قف وعدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا فِي التَّوْرَةِ وَالإِنْجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ ، وَمَنْ أَوْفَى بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ اللهِ فَاسْتَبْشِرُوابِبَيْعِكُمُالَّذِيبَايَعْتُمْبِهِ ط وَذَلِكَ هُوَالْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
“Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and wealth in exchange for Paradise. They fight in Allah’s path, killing and being killed. This is a true promise from Him in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur’an. And who is more faithful to his promise than Allah? So rejoice in the bargain you have made with Allah. That is the supreme success.” [At-Tawbah 111]
الذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وأَنْفُسِهِمْ لا أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِنْدَ اللهِ ط وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ.
“Indeed, those who have faith, emigrated, and struggled with their wealth and lives in the way of Allah have the greatest rank with Allah.” [At-Tawbah 20]
يْأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُوا هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى تِجَارَةٍ تُنْجِيكُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابٍ اليم تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِ، وَتُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الله بأموالِكُمْ وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ ، ذلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ يَغْفِرْ
ط لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلُكُمْ جَنَّتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَرُ وَمَسْكِنَ في جَنَّتِ عَدْنٍ ط ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ طَيِّبَةً
“O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful punishment? Believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in His way with your wealth and lives. That is better for you, if you only knew. He will forgive your sins, admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, and grant you excellent dwellings in everlasting gardens. That is the supreme success.” [As-Saff 10–12]
يايُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُم فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوا وَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, when you confront an army, stand firm and remember Allah abundantly. Hopefully you will succeed.”
يايُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا قف وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“O you who have believed, be patient, stand firm against the followers of falsehood, establish unity and strength, and fear Allah, so that you may succeed.” [Aal Imran 200]
لكنالرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ جَاهَدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وأَنْفُسِهِمْ ، أُولَيْكَ لَهُمُ الْخَيْراتُ : وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَلكن
“But the Messenger and those who believed with him struggled with their wealth and lives. For them are all good things, and they are the successful.”
لَا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادٌ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أَبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ ، أُولَئِكَ كَتَبَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْإِيْمَانَ وَأَيَّدَهُمْ بِرُوحِ مِّنْهُ ، وَيُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّتٍ تَجْرِيمِنْ تَحْتِهَاالْأَنْهُرُ خَلِدِينَ فِيهَارَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ، أُولَئِكَ حِزْبُ اللَّهِ ، أَلا إِنَّحِزْبَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“You will never find people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers, sons, brothers, or clansmen. Allah has firmly established faith in their hearts and strengthened them with a spirit from Him. He will admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will remain forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. They are the party of Allah. Indeed, the party of Allah are the successful.” [Al-Mujadilah 22]
The characteristics of a successful life presented in these verses can be arranged as follows:
1. Possessing faith free from shirk regarding Allah’s Essence, attributes, power, authority, and rights.
2. Living with awareness of accountability, punishment, and reward in the Hereafter.
3. Accepting without hesitation Allah’s and His Messenger’s judgment after learning it concerning any matter.
4. Continuing to obey Allah’s Messenger sincerely.
5. Establishing salah and performing it with khushu.
6. Paying zakat.
7. Continuing to practice the means of attaining closeness to Allah.
8. Remaining devoted to the struggle to establish Allah’s religion.
9. Continuing to spend in the way of Allah.
10. Striving to establish the ma’ruf and eliminate the munkar.
11. Exercising patience in all circumstances.
12. Standing firm on the battlefield.
13. Continuing to strengthen one another.
14. Fulfilling the rights of relatives, the miskin, and travelers.
15. Abstaining from usury.
16. Abstaining from alcohol.
17. Abstaining from gambling.
18. Avoiding places where offerings are made for anyone other than Allah.
19. Abstaining from divination by casting arrows.
20. Avoiding impure things.
21. Abstaining from unlawful sexual conduct.
22. Abstaining from enjoying the beauty of women unrelated to one’s family.
23. Safeguarding trusts.
24. Fulfilling promises and pledges.
25. Avoiding vain activities.
26. Becoming free from miserliness.
27. Not loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they are relatives.
It should be noted that Allah, the Lord of the worlds, has nowhere stated that being able to amass mountains of money, owning enormous mansions or numerous business establishments, living a luxurious life, or surpassing others in influence and prestige is a measure of success.
Love of the World
People have deep affection in their hearts for their wives, sons, daughters, and relatives. People feel tremendous attraction toward money and other forms of wealth. Up to a certain limit, this affection and attraction are not objectionable. But once that limit is exceeded, trouble arises.
Love of the world becomes a tremendous source of harm for people.
In reality, the life of this world is very brief. At some point, one must leave all loved ones and all possessions behind and depart for the Hereafter. Love of the world does not allow a person to turn toward the Hereafter. It obstructs preparation for the Hereafter.
That is why Allah, the Lord of the worlds, has repeatedly reminded people of the true condition of worldly life, so that they do not become victims of deception by being caught in the labyrinth of worldly life.
Allah, the Lord of the worlds, says,زيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنْطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ والحارث ، ذلك مناع الحيوة الدُّنْيا ، والله عِنْدَه حُسنُ الْعَاب.
مَتَاعُ
“The love of desires has been made alluring to people: women, children, heaped-up treasures of gold and silver, fine horses, livestock, and fields. These are merely the provisions of worldly life, while with Allah is the best abode.” [Aal Imran 14]
المَالُ وَالبَنُونَ زِينَة الحيوة الدُّنْيَا، والبقيتُ الصلحت خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلاً
“Wealth and children are only the adornment of worldly life. But enduring righteous deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better as a hope.” [Al-Kahf 46]
اِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ. وَاللهُ عِنْدَةٌ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ.
“Indeed, your wealth and children are only a test. And with Allah is a tremendous reward.” [At-Taghabun 15]
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الحيوةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِب وَلَهُوَ وَزِيْنَهُ وَتَفَاخُرَا بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرُ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلادِ ط
“Know that worldly life is nothing but play, amusement, adornment, mutual boasting among you, and competition in wealth and children.” [Al-Hadid 20]
وَمَا هَذِهِ الْحَيوةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ، وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةِ لهي الحيوان م
“The life of this world is nothing but amusement and play. The true home of life is the home of the Hereafter.” [Al-Ankabut 64]
“In other words, the reality of this worldly life is only this: just as little children amuse themselves by dancing and singing for a while and then go to their respective homes. Whoever has become a king here has not truly become a king; he is merely acting the part of a king. At some point his game ends. Then he leaves the royal throne in the same impoverished state in which he came into this world. Likewise, no form of life here is permanent or eternal. Whoever is in whatever condition is there only temporarily, for a limited period. Those who sacrifice everything for success in this life of only a few days, selling their conscience and faith for it and acquiring a little comfort and the glitter of power and influence— all their activities are nothing but distractions. If, with these toys, they distract themselves for ten, twenty, or sixty or seventy years, and then cross the door of death empty-handed and arrive in a world where, in its permanent and eternal life, their game becomes an incurable disease, then what benefit is there in this child’s play?” [Tafhim al-Qur’an, Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, vol. 11, Surah Al-Ankabut, note 102]
فَمَا أُوتِيتُمْ مِّنْ شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا، وَمَا عِنْدَ الله میر و
“Whatever you have been given is merely the provision of worldly life, while what is with Allah is better and more lasting. It is for those who believe and place their trust in their Lord.” [Ash-Shura 36]
وَلَوْلاً أن يكونَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً لَجَعَلْنَا لِمَنْ يَكْفُرُ بِالرَّحْمَنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقْفًا مِنْ فِضَّةٍ وَمَعَارِج عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ. وَلِبُيُوتِهِمْ أبواباً وسُرُوا عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكِنُونَ وَزُخْرُفًا ، وَإِنْ كُلُّ ذلِكَ لَما أمَتَاعُ الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ المُتَّقِينَ.
“Had it not been that all people might become one community, We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful roofs of silver for their houses, stairways by which they ascend, doors for their houses, and couches on which they recline, all made of silver and gold. These are only the provisions of worldly life, while the Hereafter with your Lord is reserved for the righteous.” [Az-Zukhruf 33–35]
“In other words, the gold and silver whose acquisition you regard as the ultimate blessing and ascent to the highest peak of honor and status is so insignificant in Allah’s sight that, had He not feared that all people would incline toward disbelief, He would have made the homes of every disbeliever from gold and silver. Since when has this base object become proof of human dignity and purity of soul? Such wealth is also possessed by people whose vile deeds make the whole society reek with filth. Yet you have made it the standard of human superiority.” [Tafhim al-Qur’an, Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, vol. 14, Surah Az-Zukhruf, note 33]
وَالَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوا يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأْكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ الْأَنْعَامُ وَالنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ.
“The disbelievers enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat, and the Fire will be their abode.” [Muhammad 12]
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَى مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِه أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيوة وَرِزْقٌ رَبللِنَفْتِنَهُمْ الدُّنْيَا یر و
“Do not raise your eyes toward the splendor of worldly life that We have granted to various people among them. We have given them these things only to test them. And your Lord’s provision is better and more lasting.” [Ta-Ha 131]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
إنَّ لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ فِتْنَةً وَفِتْنَةٌ أُمَّتِي الْمَالُ
“Indeed, every nation has a trial, and the trial of my nation is wealth.” [Ka’b ibn Iyad, Jami at-Tirmidhi]
Allah, the Lord of the worlds, says,
وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَ لَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ بِالَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِنْدَنَا زُلْفَى إِلا مَنْ أمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَاءُ الضَّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَهُمْ فِي الْغُرُفت أمنُونَ.
“Your wealth and children are not what bring you close to Us; rather, those who believe and perform righteous deeds will have a double reward for what they did, and they will dwell securely in lofty chambers.” [Saba 37]
وَمَا الْحَيَوةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
“The life of this world is nothing but the provision of deception.” [Aal Imran 185]
ياَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ : وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَسِرُونَ
“O you who have believed, let neither your wealth nor your children distract you from the remembrance of Allah. Whoever does so will be among the losers.” [Al-Munafiqun 9]
“Wealth and children are mentioned specifically because, in most cases, people become involved in hypocrisy, weakness of faith, sinfulness, and disobedience because of these interests, instead of fulfilling the demands of faith.” [Tafhim al-Qur’an, Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, vol. 17, Surah Al-Munafiqun, note 18]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
لَوْ كَانَت الدُّنْيَا تَعْدِلُ عِنْدَ الله جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى كَافِرًا منْهَا شربة ماء
“If the value of this world in the sight of Allah were equal to that of a mosquito’s wing, He would not have given a disbeliever even a sip of water from it.” [Sahl ibn Sa’d, Jami at-Tirmidhi]
Allah, the Lord of the worlds, says,
يايُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللهِ حَقٌّ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيوةُ الدُّنْيَا وقفه وَلَا يَغُرُنَّكُمْ بِاللهِ الْغَرُورُ.
“O humanity, surely Allah’s promise is true. So do not let worldly life deceive you, and do not let the deceiver deceive you about Allah.” [Fatir 5]
فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيوةُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ
“So do not let worldly life deceive you, and do not let the deceiver deceive you regarding Allah.” [Luqman 33]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
مَنْ أَحَبَّ دُنْيَاهُ أَضَرُّ بِأَخْرَتِهِ وَمَنْ أَحَبُّ أُخِرَتَهُ أَضَرُّ بِدُنْيَاهُ فاثرُوا مَا يُبْقَى عَلى ما يَفْنى
“Whoever loves this world harms his Hereafter, and whoever loves the Hereafter harms his worldly life. Therefore, give preference to what remains over what perishes.” [Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, Al-Bazzar, Al-Hakim, and Al-Bayhaqi]
Regarding the consequences of love of the world at the level of nations, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
يُوشِكُ الْأَمَمُ أَنْ تَدَاعَى عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا تَدَاعَى الْأُكِلَةُ إِلى قَصْعَتِهَا . فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ وَ مِنْ قلة نَحْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ ؟ قَالَ بَلْ أَنْتُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ كَثِيرٌ وَلكِنْكُمْ غُثَاءٌ كَفْثَاءِ السَّيْلِ – وَلَيَنْزِعَنَّ اللَّهُ مِنْ صُدُورٍ عَدُوِّكُمْ المَهَابَةَ مِنْكُمْ – وَلِيَقْذِفَنَّ فِي قُلُوبِكُمُ الْوَهْنَ – قَالَ قَائِلٌ يارَسُولَ اللهِ وَمَا الْوَهْنُ؟ قَالَ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَكَرَاهِيَةِ الْمَوْتِ
“Soon other nations will summon one another against you, just as diners call one another to a shared dish. Someone asked, ‘Will we be few in number then?’ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, ‘No, rather you will be numerous then, but you will be like foam floating on floodwater. Allah will remove your awe from the hearts of your enemies and cast weakness into your hearts.’ Someone asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is weakness?’ He said, ‘Love of the world and hatred of death.’ [Thawban, Sunan Abi Dawud]
In other words, you will become infatuated with the world and shrink back in fear for your lives when you hear of jihad.
Allah, the Lord of the worlds, says,وَأَمْوَالِ نِ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسْكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَيْكُمْ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللهُ بِأَمْرِهِ ، وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفُسِقِينَ
“Tell them: If your fathers, your children, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, the wealth you have earned, the business whose stagnation you fear, and the homes you love are dearer to you than Allah, His Messenger, and striving in His way, then wait until Allah brings about His decision. Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.” [At-Tawbah 24]
The demand of this verse is that
Allah, His Messenger, and striving in the way of Allah must be dearer to a believer than everything in the world.
In other words, success in the Hereafter depends on being able to give priority to Allah, His Messenger, and striving in the way of Allah.
Living a Simple Life
Islam encourages possessing enough wealth to meet basic needs while avoiding the haram, remaining within the bounds of the halal, not begging from anyone, and not becoming indebted. Even after one’s actual needs for living have been met, Islam discourages continually chasing after increasing wealth.
One class of people remains engrossed day and night in amassing mountains of wealth, collecting various luxury goods, and becoming influential. Astonishingly, their desire has no end. “I want more, I want more”—this seems to be the essence of their thoughts and consciousness.
Allah, the Lord of the worlds, has called this mentality “at-takathur.” He says,
الهكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ. حَتَّى زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ
“The rivalry for more distracts you until you reach the graves.” [At-Takathur 1–2]
While analyzing this mentality, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
لَوْ كَانَ لِابْنِ أَدَمَ وَادِيَانِ مِنْ ذَهَب لَأَحَبُّ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ ثَالِثُ وَلَا يمل ، فَاهُ الا التُّرَابُ.
“If the son of Adam had two valleys full of gold, he would still desire a third. Nothing fills his mouth except dust.” [Anas ibn Malik, Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Bukhari, Musnad Ahmad]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
ما ذنْبَان جَائِعَانِ أَرْسُلاً فِي غَنَم بِأَفْسَدَ لَهَا مِنْ حَرْضِ الْمَرْءِ ععلَى الْمَالِ وَالشَّرْفِ لِدِينِهِ
“The greed for wealth and the desire for status are more harmful to a person’s religiousness than two hungry wolves released among a flock of sheep could be to that flock.” [Ka’b ibn Malik, Jami at-Tirmidhi]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
لَيْسَ ِلابْنِ آدَمَ حَقٌّ فِى سوى هذِهِ الْخِصَالِ بَيْتُ يَسْكُنُهُ وَثَوْبُ يوارى عَوْرَتَهُ وَجلْفُ الخُبز والماء
“The son of Adam has no right to anything beyond these few things: a house in which to live, clothing to cover his nakedness, and some bread and water.” In other words, these are people’s true basic needs.” [Uthman ibn Affan, Jami at-Tirmidhi]
Elsewhere, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ المَسكَنُ الْوَاسِعُ وَالْجَارُ الصَّالِحُ وَالْمَرْكَبُ الهَنيئ
“Among the things that constitute a person’s good fortune are a spacious home, a righteous neighbor, and a comfortable means of transport.” [Nafi ibn Abd al-Harith, Musnad Ahmad]
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَكَانَ رِزْقُهُ كَفَافًا وَقَنَّعَهُ اللهُ بِمَا أَتَاهُ
“Successful is the person who has accepted Islam, received provision sufficient for his needs, and been granted by Allah the ability to be content with what He has given him.” [Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him), Sahih Muslim]
Ahwas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated from his father,
آتَيْتَ رَسُولَ الله (ص) وَ عَلَيَّ ثَوْبٌ دُونَ – فَقَالَ لِي أَلَكَ مَالُ؟ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ – قَالَ مِنْ ُأيُّ الْمَالِ ؟ قُلْتُ مِنْ كُلِّ الْمَالِ – قَدْ أَعْطَانِي اللهُ مِنَ الْإِبِلِ وَالْبَقَرِ وَالْغَنَمِ وَالْخَيْلِ وَالرَّقِيق – قَالَ فَاذَا أتَاكَ مَالاً فَلْبُرَ أَثَر نعمة الله عَلَيْكَ.
“Once I came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing a very poor-quality garment. He asked me, ‘Do you have wealth?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I do.’ He asked, ‘What kinds of wealth do you have?’ I replied, ‘All kinds of wealth: camels, cattle, goats, horses, and male and female slaves.’ He said, ‘When Allah has given you wealth, the manifestation of His blessings should be visible in your appearance.’ [Ahwas (may Allah be pleased with him), Mishkat al-Masabih]
Nor is it intended that a person, despite Allah, Lord of the Worlds, having granted him wealth, should live like a poor man.
However, manifesting Allah’s blessings in one’s appearance does not mean living a luxurious life. Islam does not favor a life of luxury. Urging people to avoid extravagance and live simply, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
إِيَّاكَ وَالتَّنَعمَ فَإِنَّ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ لَيْسُوا بِالْمُتَنَعَمِينَ
“Beware of luxury, for the servants of Allah do not live luxuriously.” [Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), Musnad Ahmad, Sunan al-Bayhaqi]
In real life, it can be seen that luxury gives rise to a love of comfort, a love of comfort gives rise to laziness, and laziness gives rise to an aversion to hard work.
While urging people to live free from luxury, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
الا تَسْمَعُونَ أَلا تَسْمَعُونَ إِنَّ الْبَدَادَةَ مِنَ الْإِيْمَانِ إِنَّ الْبَدَادَةَ منَ الْإِيمَان
“Will you not listen? Will you not listen? Surely, simplicity is a sign of faith; surely, simplicity is a sign of faith.” [Abu Umamah Iyas (may Allah be pleased with him), Sunan Abi Dawud]
While advising Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,
كُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَأَنَّكَ غَرِيبٌ أَوْ عَابِرٍ سَبِيلِ
“Live in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler.” [Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), Sahih al-Bukhari]
We know that a traveler undertakes a journey to achieve a particular objective. He travels for only a few days. He takes with him only the essential baggage that can be carried easily.
Human beings come to this world to achieve a specific objective. Their stay here is also for only a handful of days.
As soon as the call comes, they must immediately leave this place.
In other words, a person’s stay in this world is just like that of a traveler.
Therefore, there is no need for people to carry the burden of enormous amounts of wealth.
It is enough to have provisions that make the journey reasonably comfortable.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said,
فَوَالله مَا الْفَقْرَ أخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ وَلكِنِّى أَخْشَى أَنْ تُبْسَطَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا بَسطَتْ عَلَى مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ فَتَنَافَسُوهَا كَمَا تَنَافَسُوْهَا فَتُلْهِكَكُمْ كَمَا أَهْلَكَتْهُم
“By Allah, I do not fear poverty for you. Rather, I fear that worldly abundance will be spread before you as it was spread before those who came before you. Then you will compete for it as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them.” [Amr ibn Awf al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Bukhari]
It should be noted that the pain of having less torments people greatly. But contentment with little removes this pain. A powerful desire for indulgence exists within people. This desire seems to have no restraint and no end. But contentment with little controls this desire. Consumerism is a great affliction. Caught in the grip of consumerism, people keep rushing about like the bewildered. Contentment with little frees people from this painful condition.
In other words, contentment with little is an extraordinary virtue. Only those endowed with this virtue can live a simple life.
Some Brilliant Examples of Living a Simple Life
1. Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):
Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the best of mankind, was the greatest example of a simple life.
While living in Makkah, he became prosperous through engaging in business before receiving prophethood. A large portion of his earnings was spent for the welfare of the needy and suffering. After receiving prophethood, he faced intense opposition. In such circumstances, continuing his business was extremely difficult. Moreover, most of his time began to be spent in ad-da‘wah ila Allah and in teaching and training new Muslims.
In 622 CE, he migrated to Yathrib. By then, public support for Islam had developed there. After his arrival, Yathrib became a city-state. It was named al-Madinah. Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), became the first head of this newly formed state.
As head of state, he could lawfully have accepted many privileges and benefits. But he did not do so.
He lived a simple life.
He lived in a small house. His house was free of an excess of furniture. He used a leather bed filled with palm-fiber.
He did not like lavish meals.
He did not eat until his stomach was stuffed full. However, he liked milk and honey very much.
He applied kohl to his eyes.
He used perfume.
He did not wear ostentatious clothing.
Although at times he wore clothing of different colors, he preferred white clothing above all.
He did not have a large number of clothes. Consequently, there was no need to fold them and stack them in a pile.
Even while serving as head of state, he established a rare example by living a simple life.
2. Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him):
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the finest merchants of Makkah. When he accepted Islam, his savings amounted to forty thousand dirhams. For a person living fourteen and a half centuries ago to possess forty thousand dirhams was by no means a small matter.
After accepting Islam, conducting his business became difficult because of the obstacles created by his opponents.
Yet he continued spending money to resettle new Muslims expelled from their families and to free persecuted male and female slaves. At the time of the Hijrah, it was found that only five thousand dirhams remained in his possession. After coming to al-Madinah, he again devoted himself to business. However, he spent most of his business earnings on ad-da‘wah ila Allah, al-jihad fi sabilillah, and various public-welfare causes.
After the death of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he became head of the state of al-Madinah.
Even as head of state, he wanted to continue conducting business to meet his own and his family’s needs.
The senior Companions prevented him from doing so. They took steps to establish an allowance for him from the Bayt al-Mal.
He agreed to receive an allowance of only two thousand five hundred dirhams a year.
He lived a very simple life.
He ate ordinary food.
He received two sets of clothing each year from the Bayt al-Mal. He was satisfied with that.
At the time of his death, he left behind no property other than one female slave and two she-camels.
Before his death, he left instructions that after his death, his worn clothing should be washed, combined with two additional pieces of cloth, and used as his shroud.
3. Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):
Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of Makkah’s prominent merchants. After migrating to al-Madinah, he started a business anew. He spent a large portion of his profits on ad-da‘wah, al-jihad, and serving the people.
After the death of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), he was elected head of the state of al-Madinah. Managing the state and conducting business simultaneously was very difficult. Nevertheless, for several years he was unwilling to take an allowance from the Bayt al-Mal. When the pressure of state duties made it impossible to devote time to business, he agreed to accept an allowance—only eight hundred dirhams a year. In 15 AH, the Bayt al-Mal became quite prosperous. It then became possible to give everyone a substantial allowance. At that time, he agreed to receive an annual allowance of five thousand dirhams.
His way of life was just like that of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him).
He ate ordinary food. He wore only a few clothes.
4. Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him):
Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of Makkah’s successful merchants. After accepting Islam, his business came to a halt because of the persecution by his opponents.
After migrating to al-Madinah, he organized his business again. Allah blessed his business. He earned substantial profits.
By comparison, he wore better clothes and ate better food. But he too did not live a luxurious life.
A large portion of his earnings was spent on ad-da‘wah, al-jihad, and public-welfare causes.
He bought the adjoining land for the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque and dedicated it as a waqf.
At that time, there was a severe shortage of potable water in al-Madinah. The water of the Ruma Well, owned by a Jew, was drinkable. That Jew would not give anyone even a glass of water without payment. Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) bought the well for eighteen thousand dirhams and dedicated it as a waqf for public use.
Of the thirty thousand soldiers in the Battle of Tabuk, he bore all the expenses of ten thousand soldiers.
After the martyrdom of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), he became head of the state of al-Madinah. He received the prescribed allowance from the Bayt al-Mal. But instead of spending it on himself, he distributed it among the needy.
5. Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him):
Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was the son of a merchant. He accepted Islam at the age of ten and continued to remain in the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He had no inclination toward business. The Qur’an was being revealed in portions. By listening to it from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he continued memorizing it. He lived in the Prophet’s house. He ate and drank with the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Even after migrating to al-Madinah, he continued to live with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
After the Battle of Badr, he married Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He now had to take a separate house. He had to think about earning a living. He supported his household with whatever he earned from doing odd jobs.
Sometimes he received a share of the spoils of war.
When the Bayt al-Mal became prosperous during the rule of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), an annual allowance of five thousand dirhams was fixed for him.
He was extremely charitable.
He never turned away anyone seeking help empty-handed. As a result, at times he and his entire family would remain without food.
After the martyrdom of Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), he was elected head of state. Even after assuming the highest office in the state, his way of life did not change.
He wore only a few clothes.
He ate ordinary food.
At times, he could be seen wearing patched clothing.
At the time of his martyrdom, he left behind only seven hundred dirhams in cash.
6. al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam (may Allah be pleased with him):
Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam (may Allah be pleased with him) was also a prominent merchant of Makkah. After migrating to al-Madinah, he began a new business.
He earned substantial profits from his business. He spent a portion of the profits on his family. He distributed the remaining portion among the people.
He owned one thousand slaves.
They earned money every day and handed it over to their master. He distributed all the money earned by the slaves among the less affluent people.
He wore simple clothing.
He ate ordinary food.
7. Talhah ibn Ubaydullah (may Allah be pleased with him):
Talhah ibn Ubaydullah (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of Makkah’s successful merchants. After migrating to al-Madinah, he started a business. He also achieved success in business.
He spent only a small portion of his business earnings on his family’s needs. He gave away the rest in charity.
One evening, seventy thousand dirhams from business profits arrived in his hands from Hadramawt. At night, he kept tossing and turning in bed. He could not sleep at all.
His wife asked him the reason.
He replied, “Since this evening I have been thinking: if a person goes to sleep with so many dirhams kept in his house, what opinion does he hold of his Lord?”
His wife said, “Why are you so worried? Where will you find poor and needy people at this late hour? Distribute it as soon as morning comes.”
Her words calmed him.
He spent the night peacefully.
Before dawn, he brought several sacks, divided the dirhams, and distributed them among the poor and needy.
Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) earned a great deal of money.
But he did not allow even a touch of luxury into his life.
8. Said ibn Amir al-Jumahi (may Allah be pleased with him):
During the rule of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), Said ibn Amir al-Jumahi (may Allah be pleased with him) was appointed governor of a place called Hims. Even as governor, he lived in a small house.
There was no noteworthy furniture in his house.
He wore ordinary clothing.
He ate ordinary food.
Once, a group of people came from Hims to al-Madinah. They met the head of state, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). He asked them to prepare a list of the poor people of Hims. After consulting one another, they prepared a list and handed it to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). The first name on the list was Said ibn Amir. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, “Which Said is this?” The people of Hims replied that this Said was their governor.
After hearing the details of his way of life, he allocated one thousand dinars (gold coins) for him. He made separate allocations for the others as well. The people of Hims returned, handed each person his sack, and took the sack sent for their governor to him. As soon as he opened the sack and saw the dinars, he exclaimed, “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return.”
Hearing these words from him, his wife came to the doorway and asked, “Has the Commander of the Believers died?” Said replied, “No, the world has entered my house to ruin my Hereafter. A calamity has entered my house.” His wife said, “Remove the calamity.” Said asked, “Will you help me in this matter?” She replied, “Certainly.”
Then Said divided the dinars, placed them in several sacks, and arranged for them to be distributed among the poor people of Hims.
In the golden age of Islam, a large number of people were accustomed to living simple lives. They did not like ostentation. They did not allow luxury to come near them. It was because their gaze was fixed on success in the life of the Hereafter that they were able to remain so detached from the world.
Success in the Hereafter Is True Success
Allah, Lord of the Worlds, says,
لَتَرْكَبُنُ طَبَقًا عَنْ طَبَقٍ
“You will surely progress from one stage to another.” [Al-Inshiqaq 19]
From the beginning of life until old age, a person passes through many stages. Eventually, he must end his worldly life and reach the grave. In this way, generation after generation continues to become inhabitants of the grave.
According to the plan of Allah, Lord of the Worlds, one day the moment will come when the earth and the heavens will be broken apart. The earth will tremble violently and be shattered into pieces. Everything in the universe will become detached and fly apart. Everything will be broken and crushed.
Then, by the command of Allah, Lord of the Worlds, the earth and the heavens will come into existence again in a new form, a new shape, and a new arrangement.
يَوْمَ تُبَدِّلُ الْأَرْضِ غَيْرَ الْأَرْضِ وَالسَّمَوتُ
“On that day, the earth and the heavens will be transformed and given a new form. The newly formed earth will be much larger than today’s earth. There will be no seas or oceans on the new earth. There will be no hills or mountains. There will be no trees or vegetation. There will be no houses or buildings. The entire earth will be a gray, level plain.” [Ibrahim 48]
فَيَذَرُهَا قَاعًا صَفْصَفًا. لا تَرى فِيهَا عِوَجًا وَلَا أَمْنًا
“Then this earth will be turned into a level gray plain. You will see in it neither elevation nor depression.” [Ta-Ha 106–107]
The only exception will be a reservoir called “Al-Kawthar.” Nothing except “Al-Kawthar” will exist on the surface of the new earth. All people will be resurrected in this vast gray expanse.
فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامَ يُنْظُرُونَ وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ.
“Then they will rise and stand, gazing with astonished eyes. The earth will be illuminated by the light of its Lord. The record of deeds (the account of a person’s actions prepared by the two angels assigned to each person) will be brought forward.” [Az-Zumar 68–69]
Seeing the radiance of Allah’s light all around, everyone will understand that they have appeared before the court of the Hereafter about which they had been informed during their worldly life.
An announcement will be made by Allah, Lord of the Worlds,
اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَى بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا
“Read your record. Today you yourself are sufficient to take account of yourself.” [Bani Isra’il 14]
Every person will read their record of deeds and will see that even an atom’s weight of good deeds they performed is recorded there. Again, even an atom’s weight of bad deeds is also recorded. The “Kiraman Katibin” (the honorable scribes) neither added anything nor left anything out. They recorded the details of every deed precisely.
Then the questioning will begin. They will be questioned about whether they fulfilled the duties entrusted to them in worldly life as Allah’s representative (khalifah) and Allah’s servant (‘abd).
Some criminals will show audacity. They will want to object to the long list of their sins. Then Allah, Lord of the Worlds, will present a second type of evidence.
Upon receiving Allah’s command, their limbs will begin to present an account of the deeds they committed.
وَتُكَلِّمُنَا أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ.
“And their hands will speak to Me, and their feet will testify to what they used to do.” [Ya-Sin 65]
يَوْمَ تشهد عليهم السنتهم وأيديهم وَأَرْجُلُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“On that Day, their tongues, their hands, and their feet will testify to what they used to do.” [An-Nur 24]
شهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعهم وأبصارهم وجُلُودُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“Their ears, their eyes, and their skins will testify to what they used to do.” [Ha-Mim As-Sajdah 20]
ان السمع وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولاً
“Indeed, their ears, eyes, and hearts will be held accountable.” [Bani Isra’il 36]
وَإِنْ تُبْدُوا مَا فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ يُحَاسِبْكُمْ بِهِ الله
“Whether you reveal what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will certainly call you to account for it.” [Al-Baqarah 284]
This questioning will be subtle, lengthy, and comprehensive.
At one point, questioning will begin concerning a person’s “amal-e-saleh.” The intention or purpose with which each deed was performed will be analyzed.
It should be noted that “ikhlas-un-niyyah,” or purity of intention, is a very important matter. Allah does not accept any amal-e-saleh unless it is performed with “ikhlas-un-niyyah.”
One day, a man asked Muhammadur Rasulullah (peace be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah, we spend money to gain fame. Will we be rewarded for this?” Allah’s Messenger said, “No.” The man asked again, “What if our intention is both to receive Allah’s reward and to gain fame in this world?” Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Allah does not accept any deed that is not performed sincerely for Him.” [Yazid ar-Raqashi (may Allah be pleased with him), Ibn Marduyah]
In the absence of “ikhlas-un-niyyah,” Allah, Lord of the Worlds, does not accept even the greatest sacrifices and offerings.
Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
“On the Day of Judgment, the first person to be judged will be one who was martyred. He will be reminded of all the blessings Allah bestowed upon him. He will acknowledge receiving and enjoying those blessings. He will be asked, ‘What did you do for Me after receiving these blessings?’ He will say, ‘I fought in Your path until I was martyred.’
Allah will say, ‘You are lying. You fought so that you would be called a brave hero, and you received that fame.’ Then judgment will be passed concerning him, and he will be thrown face-first into Hell, dragged by his feet.
In other words, the prerequisite for an amal-e-saleh to be accepted is ikhlas-un-niyyah.
Ad-da’wah, al-jihad, as-salat, as-sawm, az-zakat, al-hajj, infaq, khidmat-e-khalq—in short, everything—must be devoted solely to attaining the pleasure of Allah, Lord of the Worlds. If examination in Allah’s court proves that a believer performed all amal-e-saleh solely to attain Allah’s pleasure, then the path to his salvation will become easy.
After the judgment in Allah’s court is completed, some people’s destination will be Hell, while others’ destination will be Paradise.
Hell:
Hell is a place of severe punishment.
Angels of terrifying appearance have been appointed there. By Allah’s command, they will fasten collars around the sinners’ necks, wrap iron chains around their bodies, drag them along, and throw them into Hell.
The heat of Hell’s fire is seventy times greater than the heat of the fire of this world.
Dense, suffocating, acrid smoke will swirl throughout Hell.
Huge, terrifying venomous snakes will be found in various places in Hell.
The bodies of the people of Hell will be enormous. The angels will continue striking them with heavy clubs, tearing their bodies apart. The people of Hell will continue screaming terribly.
They will pant from the heat of the fire and thirst.
They will be made to drink boiling water and blood mixed with pus.
They will be forced to swallow the thorny, bitter, foul-smelling zaqqum tree.
There are many other forms of punishment in Hell. Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
“The least punishment in Hell will be for the person who is made to wear a pair of shoes with straps of fire. Because of this, the brain in his head will boil like water in a pot over a blazing stove.” [Sahih Muslim]
Paradise:
Paradise is a place of pure happiness and peace.
The angels will welcome the people of Paradise and lead them into Paradise.
The gardens of Paradise are breathtaking.
The gardens are filled with birds.
Flowers abound everywhere.
In Paradise flow springs of pure drinking water, delicious milk, clear honey, and excellent beverages.
In Paradise there is an abundance of delicious fish, meat, various foods, and fruits.
In Paradise there are rows of palaces made from incomparable materials.
Comfortable clothing, beds, and lofty seats have been prepared for the people of Paradise.
Paradise sparkles with light.
In Paradise there are countless objects of beauty and splendor.
Every object in Paradise has an incomparable fragrance.
Paradise is free from the effects of heat and cold.
The people of Paradise will be sixty cubits tall. All the people of Paradise will be young men and women.
They will attain everlasting youth.
No one in Paradise will become ill.
Allah will grant the people of Paradise extraordinary physical beauty.
Their bodies will have an incomparable fragrance.
Paradise is the place where the human desire for eternal life and possession of vast wealth and property is fulfilled.
Every person of Paradise will be made the owner of a vast portion of Paradise.
Allah will grant even the least honored person in Paradise a space ten times greater than the present earth.
مُلكًا كَبِيرٌ وَاذَا رَأَيْتَ ثَمَّ رَأَيْتَ نَعِيم
“And wherever you look, you will see blessing upon blessing. And you will see a vast kingdom.” [Al-Insan 20]
Allah’s creative power is limitless.
He will continue creating new blessings and presenting them as gifts to the people of Paradise.
لَهُمْ مَّا يَشَانُونَ فِيهَا وَلَدَيْنَ مَزيد
“They will have whatever they wish in Paradise, and with Us there is still more for them.” [Qaf 35]
قُرَّةٍ أَعْيُن: فَلاَ تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَا أُخْفِيَ لَهُمْ
“No one knows what I have hidden for them of things that will delight their eyes.” [As-Sajdah 17]
أعددت لِعِبَادِي الصَّالِحِينَ مَا لَا عَيْنُ رَأَتْ وَلَا أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ وَلَا أعْدَدْتُ خَطَرٌ عَلَى قَلْبٍ بَشَرٍ.
“(Allah says,) I have prepared for My righteous servants such blessings as no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and no human heart has ever imagined.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Allah will bless the people of Paradise by granting them the vision of Him.
They will be fulfilled upon seeing Allah—the One whose representatives (khalifahs) and servants (‘ibad) they were on earth and through whose service they attained a place in Paradise. For the people of Paradise, the greatest joy will be the vision of Allah.
After the people of Hell have settled in Hell and the people of Paradise in Paradise, an angel will stand in the intervening place and announce, “O people of Hell, there is no more death. O people of Paradise, there is no more death. Before you lies eternal life.”
Regarding the deathless life of the Hereafter, Allah, Lord of the Worlds, says in the Qur’an,
“After the first death, they will not taste death there again.” [Ad-Dukhan 56]
Failure in the eternal life of the Hereafter is the true failure. Likewise, success in that eternal life is the true success.
Allah, Lord of the Worlds, says,
لا يَسْتَوى أَصْحَبُ النَّارِ وَأَصْحَبُ الجَنَّةِ ط أَصْحَبُ الجَنَّة هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ
“The inhabitants of Hell and the inhabitants of Paradise can never be equal. The inhabitants of Paradise are the successful.” [Al-Hashr 20]
Urging people to fulfill their proper role in worldly life with the success of the eternal life of the Hereafter in mind, Allah, Lord of the Worlds, says,
وَسَارِعُوا إِلى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضُ
“And hasten toward the forgiveness of your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth.” [Aal Imran 133]
سارِعُوا إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ
“Race with one another toward the forgiveness of your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the expanse of the heavens and the earth.” [Al-Hadid 21]
Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
الْكَيْس مَنْ دَانَ نَفْسَهُ وَعَمِلَ لِمَا بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَالْعَاجِزُ مَنْ أتْبَعَ نَفْسَهُ هَوَاهُ وَتَمَنَّى عَلَى الله
“The intelligent person is the one who disciplines his nafs and acts with the life after death in mind. The foolish person is the one who follows his nafs and yet hopes for Allah’s mercy.” [Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him), Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi]
The End