HARTA ITU SATU UJIAN
AL-Anfal [28] Dan ketahuilah bahawa harta benda kamu dan anak-anak kamu itu hanyalah menjadi ujian, dan sesungguhnya di sisi Allah jualah pahala yang besar.
At-Taghabun [15] Sesunggguhnya harta-benda kamu dan anak-anak kamu itu hanyalah menjadi ujian, dan disisi Allah jualah pahala yang besar.
Al-Munafiqun [9] Wahai orang yang beriman! Janganlah kamu dilalaikan oleh harta benda kamu dan anak-pinak kamu daripada mengingati Allah. Dan (ingatlah), sesiapa yang melakukan demikian, maka mereka itulah orang yang rugi.
At-Takathur [1] Kamu telah dilalaikan (daripada mengerjakan amal bakti) oleh perbuatan berlumba-lumba untuk mendapat dengan sebanyak-banyaknya (harta benda, anak-pinak pangkat dan pengaruh), [2] Sehingga kamu masuk kubur.(tanah)
HARTA JUGA CUMA SATU PERHIASAN
Al-Kahfi [46] Harta benda dan anak pinak itu, ialah perhiasan hidup di dunia; dan amal-amal soleh yang kekal itu lebih baik di sisi Tuhanmu sebagai pahala balasan, dan lebih baik sebagai asas yang memberi harapan.
Al-Qasas [60] Dan apa jua yang diberikan kepada kamu, maka adalah ia merupakan kesenangan hidup di dunia dan perhiasannya; dalam pada itu, apa jua yang ada di sisi Allah adalah ia lebih baik dan lebih kekal; maka mengapa kamu tidak mahu memahaminya?
BERSEDERHANALAH
Al-Furqan [67] Dan mereka yang apabila membelanjakan hartanya, tiadalah melampaui batas dan tiada bakhil kedekut; dan perbelanjaan mereka adalah betul sederhana.
A’raf [31] Wahai anak-anak Adam! Pakailah pakaian kamu yang indah berhias pada tiap-tiap kali kamu ke tempat ibadat (atau mengerjakan sembahyang) dan makanlah serta minumlah dan jangan pula kamu melampau; sesungguhnya Allah tidak suka akan orang-orang yang melampaui batas.
Isra ‘[26] …. dan janganlah kamu berbelanja dengan sangat boros.
Isra’ [28] Dan jika kamu berpaling dari mereka, kerana mencari rezeki dari Tuhanmu yang kamu harapkan, maka ucapkanlah kepada mereka ucapan yang lembut. [29] Dan janganlah engkau jadikan tanganmu terbelenggu di lehermu, dan janganlah pula engkau menghulurkan dengan sehabis-habisnya, akibatnya akan tinggallah engkau dengan keadaan yang tercela dan menyesal.
HARTA ORANG KAFIR ; JANGAN HAIRAN HARTA KAFIR YANG BANYAK
Ali Imran [116] Sesungguhnya orang yang kafir, harta-benda mereka dan anak-anak mereka, tidak sekali-kali akan dapat menyelamatkan mereka dari (azab) Allah sedikit pun, dan mereka itu ialah ahli neraka; mereka kekal di dalamnya. [117]Bandingan apa yang mereka belanjakan dalam kehidupan dunia ini, samalah seperti angin yang membawa udara yang amat sejuk, yang menimpa tanaman kaum yang menganiaya diri mereka sendiri, lalu membinasakannya; dan (ingatlah), Allah tidak menganiaya mereka, tetapi merekalah yang menganiaya diri sendiri
At-Taubah [55] Oleh itu, janganlah engkau tertarik hati kepada harta benda dan anak-anak mereka, sesungguhnya Allah hendak menyeksa mereka dengannya dalam kehidupan dunia, dan hendak menjadikan nyawa mereka tercabut sedang mereka berkeadaan kafir.
Al-Mukminun [55] Adakah mereka menyangka bahawa apa yang Kami berikan kepada mereka dari harta benda dan anak pinak itu.[56] Kami menyegerakan untuk mereka pemberian kebaikan? Bahkan mereka tidak menyedari.
Saba’ [37] Dan tidaklah hartamu dan tidak juga anak-pihakmu yang mendampingkan kamu di sisi Kami, kecuali orang yang beriman dan beramal soleh, maka bagi mereka balasan yang berlipat-ganda disebabkan apa yang mereka telah kerjakan; dan ditempatkan dalam mahligai dengan aman sentosa.
JANGAN JADI SEPERTI QARUN
Al-Qasas [78] Qarun menjawab: Aku diberikan harta kekayaan ini hanyalah disebabkan pengetahuan dan kepandaian yang ada padaku. Tidakkah ia mengetahui, bahawa Allah telah membinasakan umat-umat sebelumnya iaitu orang yang lebih kuat daripadanya dan lebih banyak mengumpulkan harta kekayaan? Dan orang yang berdosa apabila mereka diseksa tidak lagi ditanya tentang dosa-dosa mereka.
[79] Kemudian Qarun keluar kepada kaumnya dengan perhiasannya. Berkatalah orang yang inginkan kesenangan hidup dunia: Alangkah baiknya kalau kita ada kekayaan seperti yang didapati oleh Qarun! Sesungguhnya dia adalah seorang yang bernasib baik.
[80] Dan berkata orang yang diberi ilmu: Janganlah kamu berkata demikian, pahala dari Allah lebih baik bagi orang yang beriman dan beramal salih; dan tidak akan dapat menerima pahala yang demikian itu melainkan orang yang sabar.
DERMA
Derma Apa?
Al-Baqarah [219] ………Dan mereka bertanya pula kepadamu: Apakah yang mereka akan belanjakan (dermakan)? Katakanlah: (Dermakanlah apa-apa) yang berlebihan dari keperluan (kamu).
Pada siapa ?
Hak keatas keluarga, orang miskin, musafir, anak yatim….
Isra ‘[26] Dan berikanlah kepada kerabatmu, orang miskin dan orang musafir akan haknya masing-masing; dan janganlah kamu berbelanja dengan sangat boros.
Isra’ [27] Sesungguhnya orang yang boros itu adalah saudara Syaitan, sedang Syaitan itu pula adalah makhluk yang sangat kufur kepada Tuhannya.
Derma yang bagaimana?
Derma harta dicintai, yang baik-baik dan disayangi
Baqarah [177] ….. kebajikan itu ialah berimannya seseorang kepada Allah, dan hari akhirat, segala malaikat, segala Kitab, dan sekalian Nabi; dan mendermakan harta yang dicintainya kepada kerabatnya, anak-anak yatim, orang miskin, orang yang musafir, orang yang meminta-minta,
Baqarah [267] Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Belanjakanlah (pada jalan Allah) sebahagian dari hasil usaha kamu yang baik-baik dan sebahagian dari apa yang Kami keluarkan dari bumi untuk kamu dan janganlah kamu sengaja memilih yang buruk daripadanya (lalu kamu dermakan atau kamu jadikan pemberian zakat), padahal kamu sendiri tidak sekali-kali akan mengambil yang buruk itu (kalau diberikan kepada kamu),
Ali-imran [92] Kamu tidak sekali-kali akan dapat mencapai (hakikat) kebajikan dan kebaktian (yang sempurna) sebelum kamu dermakan sebahagian dari apa yang kamu sayangi. Dan sesuatu apa jua yang kamu dermakan maka sesungguhnya Allah mengetahuinya.
Bila?
Infaq sebelum mati
Al-Munafiqun [10] Dan belanjakanlah (dermakanlah) sebahagian dari rezeki yang Kami berikan kepada kamu sebelum seseorang dari kamu sampai ajal maut kepadanya, (kalau tidak) maka dia (pada saat itu) akan merayu dengan katanya: Wahai Tuhanku! Alangkah baiknya kalau Engkau lambatkan kedatangan ajal matiku ke suatu masa yang sedikit sahaja lagi, supaya aku dapat bersedekah dan dapat pula aku menjadi dari orang-orang yang soleh
Allah ganti derma kamu
Saba [39] Katakanlah: Sesungguhnya Tuhanku memewahkan rezeki bagi sesiapa yang dikehendaki-Nya di antara hamba-hamba-Nya, dan menyempitkan baginya; dan apa sahaja yang kamu dermakan maka Allah akan menggantikannya, dan Dialah jua sebaik-baik Pemberi rezeki.
HALAL, HARAM
Sedikit Yang Halal lebih baik dari banyak Yang Haram:-
Al-Maidah [100] Katakanlah (wahai Muhammad): Tidak sama yang buruk dengan yang baik, walaupun banyaknya yang buruk itu menarik hatimu.
Harta riba walaupun banyak akan jadi sedikit akhirnya
Al-Baqarah [276] Allah susutkan riba, dan mengembangkan sedekah.
Allah istihar perang terhadap orang yang makan riba dengan sengaja
Al-Baqarah [279] Maka jika kamu tidak melakukan (perintah tinggalkan riba itu) maka ketahuilah Allah dan Rasul-Nya akan memerangimu dan jika kamu bertaubat, maka hak kamu ialah pokok asal harta kamu. Kamu tidak berlaku zalim kepada sesiapa, dan kamu juga tidak dizalimi oleh sesiapa.
Tinggal riba = bertaqwa & berjaya.
Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Janganlah kamu makan atau mengambil riba dengan berlipat-lipat ganda dan hendaklah kamu bertakwa kepada Allah supaya kamu berjaya. (Surah Ali Imran, Ayat: 130).
Jalan Yang Salah
Baqarah [188] Dan janganlah kamu makan (atau mengambil) harta (orang-orang lain) di antara kamu dengan jalan yang salah dan jangan pula kamu menghulurkan harta kamu (memberi rasuah) kepada hakim-hakim kerana hendak memakan (atau mengambil) sebahagian dari harta manusia dengan (berbuat) dosa, padahal kamu mengetahui (salahnya).
An-Nisa’ :[ 29] Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! janganlah kamu makan (gunakan) harta kamu sesama kamu dengan jalan yang salah (tipu, judi dan sebagainya), kecuali dengan jalan perniagaan yang dilakukan secara suka sama suka di antara kamu, dan janganlah kamu berbunuh-bunuhan sesama sendiri. Sesungguhnya Allah sentiasa Mengasihani kamu.
Bersyukur, Allah tambah Nikmat:-
Ibrahim [7] Dan (ingatlah) ketika Tuhan kamu memberitahu: Demi sesungguhnya! Jika kamu bersyukur nescaya Aku akan tambahi nikmatKu kepada kamu dan demi sesungguhnya, jika kamu kufur ingkar sesungguhnya azabKu amatlah keras.
Perbandingan orang membelanja harta pada jalan Allah
Al-Baqarah [261] Bandingan orang yang membelanjakan hartanya pada jalan Allah, ialah sama seperti sebiji benih yang tumbuh menerbitkan tujuh tangkai, tiap-tiap tangkai tangkai itu seratus biji. Dan Allah melipat-gandakan pahala bagi sesiapa yang dikehendaki-Nya, dan Allah Maha Luas kurnia-Nya, lagi Maha Mengetahui.
Al-Baqarah [265] Dan bandingan orang yang membelanjakan hartanya kerana mencari keredhaan Allah dan keteguhan (iman) yang timbul dari jiwa mereka, adalah seperti sebuah kebun di tempat yang tinggi, yang ditimpa hujan lebat, lalu mengeluarkan hasilnya dua kali ganda. Kalau tidak ditimpa hujan lebat, maka hujan renyai-renyai pun (cukup untuk menyiraminya). Dan, Allah sentiasa Melihat apa yang kamu lakukan.
Pinjaman Yang Baik, balasan berganda
Al-Baqarah [245] Siapakah orangnya yang (mahu) memberikan pinjaman kepada Allah sebagai pinjaman yang baik (yang ikhlas) supaya Allah melipatgandakan balasannya dengan berganda-ganda banyaknya? Dan (ingatlah), Allah jualah Yang menyempit dan Yang meluaskan (pemberian rezeki) dan kepadaNyalah kamu semua dikembalikan.
Al-Hadid [11] Siapakah orangnya yang mahu memberikan pinjaman kepada Allah, sebagai pinjaman yang baik (ikhlas) supaya Allah melipat-gandakan balasannya? Dan (selain itu) dia akan beroleh pahala yang besar!
Al-Hadid [18] Sesungguhnya orang-orang lelaki yang bersedekah dan orang-orang perempuan yang bersedekah, serta mereka memberikan pinjaman kepada Allah, sebagai pinjaman yang baik (ikhlas), akan digandakan balasannya (dengan berganda-ganda banyaknya), dan mereka pula akan beroleh pahala yang mulia.
Al-Muzammil [20] dan berilah pinjaman kepada Allah sebagai pinjaman yang baik (ikhlas) dan (ingatlah), apa jua kebaikan yang kamu kerjakan sebagai bekalan untuk diri kamu, tentulah kamu akan mendapat balasannya pada sisi Allah, sebagai balasan yang sebaik-baiknya dan yang amat besar pahalanya dan mintalah ampun kepada Allah; sesungguhnya Allah Maha Pengampun, lagi Maha Mengasihani.
Pinjaman kepada Allah (infaq), diampunkan dosa
At-Tagabun [17] Dan kalau kamu memberi pinjaman kepada Allah, sebagai pinjaman yang baik (ikhlas), nescaya Allah akan melipat gandakan balasanNya kepada kamu serta mengampunkan dosa-dosa kamu dan Allah amat memberi penghargaan dan balasan kepada golongan yang berbuat baik, lagi Maha Penyabar (untuk memberi peluang kepada golongan yang bersalah supaya bertaubat).
Al-Maidah [12] ………………Demi sesungguhnya jika kamu dirikan sembahyang, serta kamu tunaikan zakat dan kamu beriman dengan segala Rasul (utusanKu) serta menolong bantu mereka (dalam menegakkan agama Allah) dan kamu pinjamkan Allah (dengan sedekah dan berbuat baik pada jalanNya) secara pinjaman yang baik (bukan kerana riak dan mencari keuntungan dunia), sudah tentu Aku akan ampunkan dosa-dosa kamu, dan Aku akan masukkan kamu ke dalam Syurga yang mengalir di bawahnya beberapa sungai.
Sifat Bakhil dan Kedekut
An-Nisa [37] Iaitu orang-orang yang bakhil dan menyuruh manusia supaya bakhil serta menyembunyikan apa-apa jua yang Allah berikan kepada mereka dari limpah kurnianya dan (sebenarnya) Kami telah sediakan bagi orang-orang kafir itu azab seksa yang amat menghina.
An-Najm [33] Adakah engkau mengetahui (keburukan) orang yang berpaling (dari menurut kebenaran kerana dia dihasut)?[34] Dan setelah dia memberi sedikit pemberiannya, dia memutuskannya (kerana menurut hawa nafsunya)?
Balasan menyembunyikan harta dan tidak belanja pada jalan Allah
Taubah [34] Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Sesungguhnya banyak di antara pendeta-pendeta dan ahli-ahli agama (Yahudi dan Nasrani) memakan harta orang ramai dengan cara yang salah dan mereka menghalangi (manusia) dari jalan Allah (agama Islam). Dan (ingatlah) orang-orang yang menyimpan emas dan perak serta tidak membelanjakannya pada jalan Allah, maka khabarkanlah kepada mereka dengan (balasan) azab seksa yang tidak terperi sakitnya. [35] (Iaitu) pada hari dibakar emas perak (dan harta benda) itu dalam Neraka Jahanam, lalu diselar dengannya dahi mereka dan rusuk mereka, serta belakang mereka (sambil dikatakan kepada mereka): Inilah apa yang telah kamu simpan untuk diri kamu sendiri, oleh itu rasalah (azab dari) apa yang kamu simpan itu.
Humazah [2] Yang mengumpulkan harta dan berulang-ulang menghitung kekayaannya; [3] Dia menyangka bahawa hartanya itu dapat mengekalkannya (dalam dunia ini)! [4] Tidak! Sesungguhnya dia akan dicampakkan ke dalam “Al-Hutamah”. [5] Dan apa jalannya engkau dapat mengetahui, apa dia “Al-Hutamah” itu? [6] (Al-Hutamah) ialah api Allah yang dinyalakan (dengan perintahNya);
Tidak berbelanja untuk menunjuk-nunjuk, riak
An-Nisa [38] Dan juga orang-orang yang membelanjakan hartanya dengan menunjuk-nunjuk kepada manusia (riak) dan mereka tidak pula beriman kepada Allah dan tidak juga beriman kepada hari akhirat dan sesiapa yang (mengambil) Syaitan itu menjadi kawannya, maka seburuk-buruk kawan ialah syaitan.
Showing posts with label Wealth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wealth. Show all posts
Monday, October 6, 2008
HARTA & ISLAM...
Islamic Concept of Wealth
By Yulyadi Arnakim
Wealth in Arabic term is known as 'al-ghina', which means 'no needs or needs less' and wealthy is known as 'al-ghaniyu' means 'self sufficient', which is one of attributes of God. As Allah says, "To Him belongs all that is in the heaven and on the heart: for verily God - He is free of all wants, worthy of all prices" (Qur'an: 22:64) and in another verse, Allah says, "Thy Lord is self sufficient, full of mercy…" (Qur'an: 6:133,). From the above verses, basically wealthy in Islam consists of two elements of life; physical and spiritual. The first dimension depicts the possession of materials which is known as 'Maal' ('amwaal' in its plural form), which basically means 'property, assets or what ever mankind posses'. The latter indicates spiritual dimension such as knowledge and virtue that reside in their souls.
The natural relationship between the two dimensions is closely interrelated. For wealth is an outcome of interactions between mankind and their surroundings include all things in the heaven and in/on the earth such as flora, fauna and the like that can facilitate mankind to gain a convenient life in this world. In Arabic tradition, the first dimension of wealth was usually cattle for traditionally the Arab wealthy families were those who possessed more camels. Nevertheless, it does not mean that wealth is only derived from the animals. It can be from any things and any forms. Currently, many people possess different forms of property. It may be in the form of cash money, shares, land, house and other goods. As Allah says, "…God has subjected to your (use) all things in the heavens and (all things) on earth…" (Qur'an 31:20).
The first wealth is also very attractive to the nature of mankind, thus every man inclines to have wealth as Allah says, "Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; but in nearness of God is the best of the goals (to return to)" (Qur'an 3:14).
Moreover, when people consider that the wealth is every thing then it may become their master. They may do what ever it is requested solely for the wealth, and they are worry of their wealth for being lost from their hands. As a result their wealth is gradually and unintentionally felt as the most beloved one. At this point people may serve their wealth and they are consequently being greedy and niggardly kind of people as what happened to Qarun (as it is explained in the story of Qarun, see Azman Ismail, "Wealth is not wrong", in Personal Money, January 2004, p. 69.). Undoubtedly, this wealth does not grant happiness to the mankind.
The latter dimension of wealth is food of spiritual such as knowledge and virtue. Presently, first dimension of wealth may be used as means to gain the second dimension of wealth that is knowledge and virtue through education and training. Knowledge is complete comprehension and interaction with this comprehension in the depths of the soul and conscience, which is then followed by action in harmony with them. As what Muslims are thought to recite a prayer: "O Lord, give us useful knowledge, large property and release us from any kind of illness and disease".
In addition, knowledge may also yield the first dimension of wealth. As it was known, that knowledge will lead to the profession, and this profession consequently will resolve the scarcity of ability of mankind in utilizing and exploring the resources. As what was been insisted by the prophet peace be upon him by saying, "any one who wants this worldly life, he should have knowledge, and any one who wants the life of the hereafter, he should have knowledge, and who wants both this life and next hereafter, he should also have knowledge".
Furthermore when the prophet's son in law, Ali bin Abi Thalib compared the two dimensions of wealth, he once said, "knowledge will take care of you while you will protect your property".
Muslims should use both elements of wealth in rendering the service to Allah. Wealth in Islam is "rizq" that connotes subsistence or means of living. This means of living is not necessarily as an outcome of man's effort. It is indeed an endowment or a gift from Allah. Because He is the one who sustains mankind's life. The effort of mankind is considered as a process, which will consequently lead to either positive or negative result. As Allah says, "Say: O God! Lord of Power (and rule). Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou stripest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: in Thy hand is all good. Verily over all things thou hast power. Thou causest the night to gain on the day, and Thou causest the day gain on the night: Thou bringest the living out of the dead, and Thou bringest the dead out of the living; and Thou givest Sustenance to whom thou pleasest without measure" (Qur'an: 3:26-27).
The wealth in Islam, may also function as means of trial and test to find out whether a person is a true Muslim or vice versa; being wealthy he is being tested and being poor or wealth-less he is also being tested. As Allah says, "Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honour and gifts, then saith he (puffed up), 'my lord hath honoured me'. But when He trieth him, restricting his subsistence for him, then saith he (in depair), 'my Lord hath humiliated me'" (Qur'an 89: 15-16).
Dealing with the wealth is not as easy as Muslims' dealing with other obligations. In fact, many Muslims perform their obligation towards their God such as performing prayers, fasting, and other ritual worships, but they fail in wealth management. Thus Arabic wise word says, "Prayer is a custom, Fasting is an affordable act, see and analyze people through their dealing with the wealth". Prayer for being an obligatory thing it may become a usual thing that people do not regard it as special and extraordinary. Thus it gradually becomes a custom. Fasting is also an obligation that Muslims perform it only a month in a lunar year, and where Muslims join together to celebrate the month, thus it becomes affordable activity. While wealth is an essential part of life, many people could not be able to pass this trial. As Allah says, "Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere" (Qur'an 2:155). Who are they?... then Allah explains in the following verse, "Who say, when afflicted with calamity: 'To God we belong, and to Him is our return'" (Qur'an 2:155-156).
In sum, wealth is not an entity that a Muslim should love, for the one whom should be beloved is the giver and sustainer, which is Allah. As such a person will be very happy and content with what his beloved one (God) gives. In order to get happiness in this world and hereafter, Muslims should successfully manage their wealth in accordance with the injunctions of Allah, use it as means to worship Allah, and submit every thing to Him after we have accomplished jobs, for mankind plan and execute, while He decides the result.
By Yulyadi Arnakim
Wealth in Arabic term is known as 'al-ghina', which means 'no needs or needs less' and wealthy is known as 'al-ghaniyu' means 'self sufficient', which is one of attributes of God. As Allah says, "To Him belongs all that is in the heaven and on the heart: for verily God - He is free of all wants, worthy of all prices" (Qur'an: 22:64) and in another verse, Allah says, "Thy Lord is self sufficient, full of mercy…" (Qur'an: 6:133,). From the above verses, basically wealthy in Islam consists of two elements of life; physical and spiritual. The first dimension depicts the possession of materials which is known as 'Maal' ('amwaal' in its plural form), which basically means 'property, assets or what ever mankind posses'. The latter indicates spiritual dimension such as knowledge and virtue that reside in their souls.
The natural relationship between the two dimensions is closely interrelated. For wealth is an outcome of interactions between mankind and their surroundings include all things in the heaven and in/on the earth such as flora, fauna and the like that can facilitate mankind to gain a convenient life in this world. In Arabic tradition, the first dimension of wealth was usually cattle for traditionally the Arab wealthy families were those who possessed more camels. Nevertheless, it does not mean that wealth is only derived from the animals. It can be from any things and any forms. Currently, many people possess different forms of property. It may be in the form of cash money, shares, land, house and other goods. As Allah says, "…God has subjected to your (use) all things in the heavens and (all things) on earth…" (Qur'an 31:20).
The first wealth is also very attractive to the nature of mankind, thus every man inclines to have wealth as Allah says, "Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; but in nearness of God is the best of the goals (to return to)" (Qur'an 3:14).
Moreover, when people consider that the wealth is every thing then it may become their master. They may do what ever it is requested solely for the wealth, and they are worry of their wealth for being lost from their hands. As a result their wealth is gradually and unintentionally felt as the most beloved one. At this point people may serve their wealth and they are consequently being greedy and niggardly kind of people as what happened to Qarun (as it is explained in the story of Qarun, see Azman Ismail, "Wealth is not wrong", in Personal Money, January 2004, p. 69.). Undoubtedly, this wealth does not grant happiness to the mankind.
The latter dimension of wealth is food of spiritual such as knowledge and virtue. Presently, first dimension of wealth may be used as means to gain the second dimension of wealth that is knowledge and virtue through education and training. Knowledge is complete comprehension and interaction with this comprehension in the depths of the soul and conscience, which is then followed by action in harmony with them. As what Muslims are thought to recite a prayer: "O Lord, give us useful knowledge, large property and release us from any kind of illness and disease".
In addition, knowledge may also yield the first dimension of wealth. As it was known, that knowledge will lead to the profession, and this profession consequently will resolve the scarcity of ability of mankind in utilizing and exploring the resources. As what was been insisted by the prophet peace be upon him by saying, "any one who wants this worldly life, he should have knowledge, and any one who wants the life of the hereafter, he should have knowledge, and who wants both this life and next hereafter, he should also have knowledge".
Furthermore when the prophet's son in law, Ali bin Abi Thalib compared the two dimensions of wealth, he once said, "knowledge will take care of you while you will protect your property".
Muslims should use both elements of wealth in rendering the service to Allah. Wealth in Islam is "rizq" that connotes subsistence or means of living. This means of living is not necessarily as an outcome of man's effort. It is indeed an endowment or a gift from Allah. Because He is the one who sustains mankind's life. The effort of mankind is considered as a process, which will consequently lead to either positive or negative result. As Allah says, "Say: O God! Lord of Power (and rule). Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou stripest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: in Thy hand is all good. Verily over all things thou hast power. Thou causest the night to gain on the day, and Thou causest the day gain on the night: Thou bringest the living out of the dead, and Thou bringest the dead out of the living; and Thou givest Sustenance to whom thou pleasest without measure" (Qur'an: 3:26-27).
The wealth in Islam, may also function as means of trial and test to find out whether a person is a true Muslim or vice versa; being wealthy he is being tested and being poor or wealth-less he is also being tested. As Allah says, "Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honour and gifts, then saith he (puffed up), 'my lord hath honoured me'. But when He trieth him, restricting his subsistence for him, then saith he (in depair), 'my Lord hath humiliated me'" (Qur'an 89: 15-16).
Dealing with the wealth is not as easy as Muslims' dealing with other obligations. In fact, many Muslims perform their obligation towards their God such as performing prayers, fasting, and other ritual worships, but they fail in wealth management. Thus Arabic wise word says, "Prayer is a custom, Fasting is an affordable act, see and analyze people through their dealing with the wealth". Prayer for being an obligatory thing it may become a usual thing that people do not regard it as special and extraordinary. Thus it gradually becomes a custom. Fasting is also an obligation that Muslims perform it only a month in a lunar year, and where Muslims join together to celebrate the month, thus it becomes affordable activity. While wealth is an essential part of life, many people could not be able to pass this trial. As Allah says, "Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere" (Qur'an 2:155). Who are they?... then Allah explains in the following verse, "Who say, when afflicted with calamity: 'To God we belong, and to Him is our return'" (Qur'an 2:155-156).
In sum, wealth is not an entity that a Muslim should love, for the one whom should be beloved is the giver and sustainer, which is Allah. As such a person will be very happy and content with what his beloved one (God) gives. In order to get happiness in this world and hereafter, Muslims should successfully manage their wealth in accordance with the injunctions of Allah, use it as means to worship Allah, and submit every thing to Him after we have accomplished jobs, for mankind plan and execute, while He decides the result.
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