The other end of the economic spectrum is poverty. No matter how financially secure we think we are, if we are destined for poverty, then we cannot escape it. A slight change in circumstances could send a once healthy bank balance 'into the red'.
III health, redundancy or dismissal may prevent us from working; demotion, a cut in salary or a change from full-time to part-time employment may also reduce our regular incoming wage. Bankruptcy and receivership; lawsuits and litigation; internal theft, fraud or deception; fire, drought or flood can also mark the end of a once thriving business. We are, therefore, advised to take advantage of our wealth while we still have it but to also prepare for the possibility of poverty.
Take advantage of five things before five others occur: your youth before you' grow old; your health before you become sick; your wealth before you become poor; your leisure before you become busy; and your life before you die. [117. Narrated by 'Amr bin Maymun al-’Awdi (At- Tirmidhi)]
Prepare complete amour for poverty, as it will overtake us quicker than a flood which flows towards its destination. [118. Narrated by Abdullah bin Mughaffal (At- Tirmidhi)]
Allah may send poverty as a punishment, a test, or a simple reminder to be more appreciative of His Kind Favors. Poverty may be relatively short lived, intermittent or prolonged throughout life. However, there are huge rewards if we remain patient during straightened economic circumstances.
The poverty trap can be a vicious circle. It restricts social movement, stifles opportunity and limits freedom of choice. It suffocates one with feelings of powerlessness, fear, frustration and stress and may tempt us to acquire money through immoral means or to beg (which is discouraged in Islam). In Islam, we are advised to earn money through halal means from our own manual labor (even if we sell sticks as firewood). [119. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muwatta Imam Malik)]
Although the income derived from it may be small, our efforts would, at least, be blessed and rewarded by Allah and the money will have barakah. Although the shaytan will delude us with poverty, Allah reassures us that He will always provide sufficiently for our needs and often from the most unexpected sources.
'Shaytan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit sins; where as Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is All Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All Knower. ' [120. Surah AI-Baqarah 2:268]
'And He will provide for him from sources he never could imagine. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.' [121. Surah At-Talaq 65:3]
The Prophet said: "If anyone who is afflicted with poverty refers it to me, his poverty will not be brought to an end; but if anyone refers it to Allah, He will soon give him sufficiency, either by a speedy death or by a sufficiency which comes later." [122. Narrated by Ibn Mas'ud (Abu Dawud)]
In the last hadith, speedy death has been explained as the death of a rich relative. Hence, the person afflicted with poverty may get property through an inheritance.
The Prophet, his wives and children were not unfamiliar with poverty, as they often went to bed without eating for several successive nights. [123. Narrated Ibn Abbas (At- Tirmidhi)] To curb his hunger, the Prophet would eat nothing but small quantity of cheap dates [124. Narrated by An Nu'man bin Bashir (Muslim)] or barley bread and when he died, there was nothing to eat in Ai'sha's house except a small quantity of barley in a container. [125. Narrated by Aisha (Agreed Upon)] How many of us can claim to have experienced true poverty and hunger when we live in a society with food in such abundance?
Poverty can be a very degrading and de-humanizing position to be in. It is also one that is frowned upon by those in wealthier positions. However, if we patiently endure poverty for Allah's sake and continue to do good deeds, He will reward us with a more dignified position in Paradise, Insha' Allah. It is stated quite clearly in the Qur'an that the inhabitants of Paradise will be those who endured poverty and material hardship, while the rich will be held back, (unless they are otherwise destined for the Hellfire). This is because a lifetime spent in poverty causes greater pain and distress than a lifetime spent in affluence and shall be rewarded accordingly. It is reassuring to note that the inmates of Paradise shall live in affluent circumstances for eternity. They will have food in abundance. Their clothes will never wear out and they shall never become destitute. [126. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim)]
The Messenger of Allah said: "The poor will enter Paradise 500 years ahead of the rich." [127. Narrated by Abu Huraira (At-Tirmidhi)]
The Messenger of Allah said; "I stood at the gate of Paradise and saw that most of those who passed through it were poor, where as the rich were held back but those who were destined to go to Hell, were ordered to be sent there." [128. Narrated by Usama bin Zaed (Agreed upon)]
In Islam, a poor, pious Muslim is considered to be superior to all the wealthy men on this earth put together as the following hadith re-iterates:
A man passed by Allah's Messenger, and the Prophet asked a man sitting beside him, "What is your opinion about this of people.”By Allah, if he should ask for a lady's hand in marriage, he ought to be given her in marriage, and if he intercedes for somebody, his intercession will be accepted." Allah's Messenger kept quiet and then another man passed by and Allah's Messenger asked the same man his opinion on the second man. He said: "0 Allah's Messenger! This person is one of the poor Muslims. If he should ask a lady's hand in marriage, no one will accept him, and if he intercedes for somebody, no one will accept his intercession, and if he talks, no one will listen to his talk." Then the Prophet said, "This man is better than such a large number of the first type (i.e. the rich men) as to fill the earth." [129. Narrated by Sahl bin Sa'd As-Sa'idi (Bukhari)]
If we devote more of our time to spiritual contemplation and prayer, our hearts will become filled with contentment and our poverty will be removed or at least become more tolerable. It will also help us to appreciate Allah's favors and be more grateful for the things we have, rather than resentful for the things we do not and may never have:
'And remember when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My punishment is indeed severe.'" [130. Surah Ibrahim 14:7]
Allah says: "O son of Adam, if you set aside some time for my service, I will fill your heart with contentment and remove your poverty; and if you spend no time in My service, I will keep your hands busy in work and will not remove your poverty." [131. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Ahmad, fun Majah)]
Material status is not the Islamic criterion for measuring a person's worth. Instead, every individual will be judged according to his level of Iman and good deeds. The Islamic definitions for wealth and prosperity are as follows:
He who enters the fold of Islam and is provided with sustenance which is sufficient for his needs and Allah makes him content with what he has bestowed upon him, has achieved true prosperity. [132. Narrated by Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al'As (Muslim)]
The Messenger of Allah said: "Riches do not mean having a great amount of property, but riches are self-contentment." [133. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Agreed upon)]
... The rich are in fact, the poor (little rewarded) on the Day of
Judgment except him who gives wealth which he gives (in charity) to his right, left, front and back, and does good deeds with it [134. Narrated by Abu Dhar (Bukhari)]
It is also important to remember the true Islamic definition for a pauper. A real pauper is a man who is bankrupt on the Day of Judgment, when he discovers all his good deeds have been diminished by his bad deeds.
When the Prophet asked, "Do you know who is a pauper?" The companions answered, "A pauper is one among us who has neither cash (i.e. money) nor property.
Then the Prophet said, "A pauper is one among my people who appears on the Day of Judgment having performed salah, paid zakat, fasted and performed other obligations, but who has also abused someone, slandered someone, misused the money of a third, shed the blood of a fourth and beaten a fifth person. Each of them (i.e. those whom he sinned against) will then be given a portion of his good deeds, then their sins will be transferred to his account, and thus he will be thrown into the fire of hell." [135. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim)]
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
By: Ruqaiyah Abdullah
III health, redundancy or dismissal may prevent us from working; demotion, a cut in salary or a change from full-time to part-time employment may also reduce our regular incoming wage. Bankruptcy and receivership; lawsuits and litigation; internal theft, fraud or deception; fire, drought or flood can also mark the end of a once thriving business. We are, therefore, advised to take advantage of our wealth while we still have it but to also prepare for the possibility of poverty.
Take advantage of five things before five others occur: your youth before you' grow old; your health before you become sick; your wealth before you become poor; your leisure before you become busy; and your life before you die. [117. Narrated by 'Amr bin Maymun al-’Awdi (At- Tirmidhi)]
Prepare complete amour for poverty, as it will overtake us quicker than a flood which flows towards its destination. [118. Narrated by Abdullah bin Mughaffal (At- Tirmidhi)]
Allah may send poverty as a punishment, a test, or a simple reminder to be more appreciative of His Kind Favors. Poverty may be relatively short lived, intermittent or prolonged throughout life. However, there are huge rewards if we remain patient during straightened economic circumstances.
The poverty trap can be a vicious circle. It restricts social movement, stifles opportunity and limits freedom of choice. It suffocates one with feelings of powerlessness, fear, frustration and stress and may tempt us to acquire money through immoral means or to beg (which is discouraged in Islam). In Islam, we are advised to earn money through halal means from our own manual labor (even if we sell sticks as firewood). [119. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muwatta Imam Malik)]
Although the income derived from it may be small, our efforts would, at least, be blessed and rewarded by Allah and the money will have barakah. Although the shaytan will delude us with poverty, Allah reassures us that He will always provide sufficiently for our needs and often from the most unexpected sources.
'Shaytan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit sins; where as Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is All Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All Knower. ' [120. Surah AI-Baqarah 2:268]
'And He will provide for him from sources he never could imagine. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.' [121. Surah At-Talaq 65:3]
The Prophet said: "If anyone who is afflicted with poverty refers it to me, his poverty will not be brought to an end; but if anyone refers it to Allah, He will soon give him sufficiency, either by a speedy death or by a sufficiency which comes later." [122. Narrated by Ibn Mas'ud (Abu Dawud)]
In the last hadith, speedy death has been explained as the death of a rich relative. Hence, the person afflicted with poverty may get property through an inheritance.
The Prophet, his wives and children were not unfamiliar with poverty, as they often went to bed without eating for several successive nights. [123. Narrated Ibn Abbas (At- Tirmidhi)] To curb his hunger, the Prophet would eat nothing but small quantity of cheap dates [124. Narrated by An Nu'man bin Bashir (Muslim)] or barley bread and when he died, there was nothing to eat in Ai'sha's house except a small quantity of barley in a container. [125. Narrated by Aisha (Agreed Upon)] How many of us can claim to have experienced true poverty and hunger when we live in a society with food in such abundance?
Poverty can be a very degrading and de-humanizing position to be in. It is also one that is frowned upon by those in wealthier positions. However, if we patiently endure poverty for Allah's sake and continue to do good deeds, He will reward us with a more dignified position in Paradise, Insha' Allah. It is stated quite clearly in the Qur'an that the inhabitants of Paradise will be those who endured poverty and material hardship, while the rich will be held back, (unless they are otherwise destined for the Hellfire). This is because a lifetime spent in poverty causes greater pain and distress than a lifetime spent in affluence and shall be rewarded accordingly. It is reassuring to note that the inmates of Paradise shall live in affluent circumstances for eternity. They will have food in abundance. Their clothes will never wear out and they shall never become destitute. [126. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim)]
The Messenger of Allah said: "The poor will enter Paradise 500 years ahead of the rich." [127. Narrated by Abu Huraira (At-Tirmidhi)]
The Messenger of Allah said; "I stood at the gate of Paradise and saw that most of those who passed through it were poor, where as the rich were held back but those who were destined to go to Hell, were ordered to be sent there." [128. Narrated by Usama bin Zaed (Agreed upon)]
In Islam, a poor, pious Muslim is considered to be superior to all the wealthy men on this earth put together as the following hadith re-iterates:
A man passed by Allah's Messenger, and the Prophet asked a man sitting beside him, "What is your opinion about this of people.”By Allah, if he should ask for a lady's hand in marriage, he ought to be given her in marriage, and if he intercedes for somebody, his intercession will be accepted." Allah's Messenger kept quiet and then another man passed by and Allah's Messenger asked the same man his opinion on the second man. He said: "0 Allah's Messenger! This person is one of the poor Muslims. If he should ask a lady's hand in marriage, no one will accept him, and if he intercedes for somebody, no one will accept his intercession, and if he talks, no one will listen to his talk." Then the Prophet said, "This man is better than such a large number of the first type (i.e. the rich men) as to fill the earth." [129. Narrated by Sahl bin Sa'd As-Sa'idi (Bukhari)]
If we devote more of our time to spiritual contemplation and prayer, our hearts will become filled with contentment and our poverty will be removed or at least become more tolerable. It will also help us to appreciate Allah's favors and be more grateful for the things we have, rather than resentful for the things we do not and may never have:
'And remember when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My punishment is indeed severe.'" [130. Surah Ibrahim 14:7]
Allah says: "O son of Adam, if you set aside some time for my service, I will fill your heart with contentment and remove your poverty; and if you spend no time in My service, I will keep your hands busy in work and will not remove your poverty." [131. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Ahmad, fun Majah)]
Material status is not the Islamic criterion for measuring a person's worth. Instead, every individual will be judged according to his level of Iman and good deeds. The Islamic definitions for wealth and prosperity are as follows:
He who enters the fold of Islam and is provided with sustenance which is sufficient for his needs and Allah makes him content with what he has bestowed upon him, has achieved true prosperity. [132. Narrated by Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al'As (Muslim)]
The Messenger of Allah said: "Riches do not mean having a great amount of property, but riches are self-contentment." [133. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Agreed upon)]
... The rich are in fact, the poor (little rewarded) on the Day of
Judgment except him who gives wealth which he gives (in charity) to his right, left, front and back, and does good deeds with it [134. Narrated by Abu Dhar (Bukhari)]
It is also important to remember the true Islamic definition for a pauper. A real pauper is a man who is bankrupt on the Day of Judgment, when he discovers all his good deeds have been diminished by his bad deeds.
When the Prophet asked, "Do you know who is a pauper?" The companions answered, "A pauper is one among us who has neither cash (i.e. money) nor property.
Then the Prophet said, "A pauper is one among my people who appears on the Day of Judgment having performed salah, paid zakat, fasted and performed other obligations, but who has also abused someone, slandered someone, misused the money of a third, shed the blood of a fourth and beaten a fifth person. Each of them (i.e. those whom he sinned against) will then be given a portion of his good deeds, then their sins will be transferred to his account, and thus he will be thrown into the fire of hell." [135. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim)]
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
By: Ruqaiyah Abdullah
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