POVERTY AND COMFORT

An uncomfortable old cart that takes you to your final destination safely is far better than a luxurious and comfortable Mercedes that leads to the precipice. This is a very clear example showing that a thing is a blessing or a calamity depending on the final outcome.

The fact that the final result will be favourable for a Mu'min (believer) despite their limited means in this world means that their position must necessarily be judged superior to that of a non-believer. The latter, even if surrounded by comfort and possessing fabulous wealth, will have to suffer eternal punishment in Hell.

This is why Allah Ta'ala warned the Mu'minin through Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) not to be deceived by appearances:

"Let not the travelling about of the Kuffaar through the lands deceive you. It is but a small enjoyment and their final abode will be Jahannam." (3:196-197)

These two verses are very clear. A temporary comfort, whose final result is unfavourable, is a mischief and a calamity. On the other hand, a temporary difficulty with a favourable result in the end is like a bitter medicine that contains well-being and complete healing.

One day, Hadhrat 'Umar (Radiyallahu anhu) began to cry when he saw the poverty and hardship of Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). He then asked him to make a Dua so that Allah Ta'ala would grant his Ummat ease and wealth. To this, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) replied:

"'Umar, are you still in doubt?"

In fact, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) wanted to show that the true gift for the Mu'minin is reserved in the Aakhirah, because this world is the prison of the Mu'minin, with all its restrictions upon them. Generally, comfort and wealth divert man from the right path. Thus, the real danger for the Mu'min lies in wealth and comfort, not in poverty. This is why Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) expressed his fear for his Ummat when they would be blessed with wealth.

Usually, when the heart is attached to material comforts, man only thinks about enjoying what he has to the best of his capability for as long as he can. In doing so, he forgets the Aakhirah and deviates from his true purpose—the reason why Allah Ta'ala sent him to this earth. This is what Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned when he said:

"Attachment to the Dunya is the root of all evils."

This is also why Allah Ta'ala warned mankind against the temptation of wealth:

"O you who have Imaan! Let not your wealth and your children make you neglect Allah's remembrance. Those who do this are certainly losers." (63:9)

However, this does not mean that a good Mu'min cannot be rich. Among the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum), Hadhrat 'Usman (Radiyallahu anhu), the third caliph, was very rich—so rich that he earned the title "Ghani", meaning 'rich'.

Similarly, Allah Ta'ala does not prevent us from having affection for our children. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) loved his children deeply. One day, a villager who saw Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) kissing children said:

"You kiss your children, but we do not kiss ours."

Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) replied:

"What can I do for you if Allah Ta'ala has taken away affection from your heart?"

Thus, being rich and having affection for one's children is not forbidden. While it is true that Insaan (man) was not created for luxury, it is equally true that he cannot live without wealth because he has needs and obligations to fulfil.

Islam opposes asceticism and does not forbid man from enjoying the comforts he can afford. However, Islam does not allow man to be a slave to his material goods and comforts.

There was an occasion when Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) expressed his anger severely towards those who, under the impression of pleasing Allah Ta'ala, had chosen to remain celibate and abstain from eating meat. On another occasion, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) disapproved of a person who was not dressed properly despite his high means, saying:

"Allah Ta'ala loves to see the effect of His blessings on His servants."

Allah Ta'ala has made Insaan His vicegerent and the chief among all creatures. All forms of wealth are at the service of man. Wealth should be considered as a means, not as the ultimate goal. Evil arises when man becomes a slave to his wealth. He then becomes the enemy of his fellow men, and harmony is lost. He may even go so far as to rage against his relatives (father, mother, brother, sister) because of his insatiable thirst for wealth.

Wealth must, therefore, be managed without becoming its slave. To do so, man must observe the rules and principles established by Allah Ta'ala regarding how to acquire wealth and how to spend it. Wealth becomes a blessing for those who obey the Creator's commandments regarding enriching himself and spending his wealth. On the other hand, those who ignore what is Haram and what is Halaal become slaves to their possessions and head towards ruin, despite appearances and what the world may believe.

The heart is like a boat: it needs water to continue its journey, but it cannot allow water to enter if it is to avoid sinking. The ship is safe and sound in the middle of the great ocean, provided that water does not enter.

The same is true for man: he will be safe even if surrounded by wealth, as long as the love of it does not invade his heart. However, one must first have this heart.

Thus, comfort and wealth remain a blessing as long as they are used to obey Allah Ta'ala. However, the smallest particle of good that diverts the mind and causes one to become ungrateful to Allah Ta'ala is a calamity.

[English version of "La pauvreté et le confort" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 4]