To be Muslim and Successful in this Dunia

[pak-one]

@psyah

Peace pak-one

In a capitalisitic world it is hard to live as a rich person without falling into some fitnah traps.

Please remember that those people who were disadvantaged in this world will have their punishment reduced in the Hereafter.

Also remember those who have been given wealth are required to spend excess in the way of charity especially so when there is much need for it. In a capitalistic world some people become very rich and a lot of people become very poor. It presents a great task to be able to deal justly with people and avoid the traits of showing off, treating people with ill-content and arrogance and wasteful spending and so on. Also, because of the advantage such rich people will have nothing to say on the Day of Judgement.

Also remember that Islam appealed to those people who were not well off. And those who did amass a huge income were that much more charitable too.

Please read the below account:

There is also a narration related by Aboo Ma’dhr from al-Maqburee from ’Aa‘ishah - radiyallaahu ’anhaa - that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “An angel came to me and said: Allaah sends blessings upon you and says: If you wish you may be a Prophet-King or a Slave-Messenger. So Jibeel -* ’alayhis-salaam *- indicated to me that I should humble myself: So I said: A Prophet-Slave.” So ’Aa‘ishah said: So after that day, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never ate whilst reclining, saying, “I eat like a slave eats and I sit like a slave sits.”

And from the mursal narrations of az-Zuhree - rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa - who said: we were informed that an angel came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), who had never come to him before. Accompanying him was Jibreel - ’alayhis-salaam. So the angel spoke, and Jibreel - ’alayhis-salaam - remained silent, so he said: Your Lord inquires whether you wish to be a king or a Prophet-Slave. So the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) looked towards Jibreel - ’alayhis-salaam - as if he was seeking his advice. So Jibreel indicated that he should be humble. So Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Prophet-Slave.” Az-Zuhree said: So it is said that from that day onwards, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never ate whilst reclining, until he departed from this world.

And it is related in the Musnad, or in the Sunan of at-Tirmidhee, from Aboo Hurayrah radiyallaahu ’anhu), from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who said, “My Lord - the Mighty and Majestic - gave me the choice that the valley of Makkah be filled with gold, but I said: No! O Lord. However, grant food to me one day, and hunger the day after. So when I am hungry I humble myself before You and remember You, and when I am full, I am grateful to You.”

Thank you for taking the time to respond to the post. I was hoping to start a meaningful discussion on wealth, avoiding fitnah, and helping those less advantaged. I don’t see capital accumulation as the only goal for life. Although I admit that I am guilty of living the good life, but I justify the spending as well deserved due to the hours that I put into the job and the fact that the income is halal. As for helping the disadvantaged, I have been setting aside 7% of my income to give to the poor in the US, UK, and Pakistan, but that is not enough.

As you correctly mentioned that todays world is dominated by capitalism where it is diffcult to avoid some of the frivolous spending. I am trying to do my best to balance the duniyey life with the deen. I really admire the Anatolian Turks who are doing the right thing by integrating Islam into the business culture. I would love to have official prayer breaks and be able to conduct business in the same manner as our Prophet (PBUH) had done in the past.

I sincerely believe that Allah is on the side of Muslims, he may test us with difficult periods, but he is the protector of al-Muslimeen.