Money
is not easy to obtain, especially if we mean the lawful source of money.
Certainly, the acquisition of wealth requires great efforts. “One must work to earn his bread” is a
phrase we hear very often.
Allah, the Regulator of all that is in this world
and in heaven has commanded us in His Blessed Book:
“It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so walk
through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him
is the Resurrection.” (67: 16).
Allah
is the Lord of immense grace, and all that is in heaven and on earth belongs to
Him. Therefore, man must know that although he is the actor of his efforts, but
all that which is in his hand really belongs to Allah. Allah is He Who has
power over everything he is and everything he owns. Certainly man is not the
true owner of the property/wealth which is in his hands. Allah exposes this
fact very clearly in His Glorious Book: “And give
them of the wealth of Allah which He has given you.” (24: 34).
If this
is the case, man must be very careful about how he spends his wealth. The Quran,
best guide for humanity gives him better guidance about it. “Those who
when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but they hold a just
balance between the two.” (25: 68). The believer should
not be an extravagant spender and on the other hand, he/she must not also be
stingy. He must hold firm to a just position between the two, practicing the
middle way.
Wealth
is without a doubt a great trial, or even a great temptation. When a person
accumulates money, he tends to make unnecessary expenses. Like the one who buys
what he wants as and when he pleases without even reaping the benefit of this
money/expenditure in any way. Otherwise he tries to have the money multiplied
through illicit means or thrown in gambling without taking into account the
great lost that awaits him both in this world and in the hereafter. Or he may
spend this money in vain pursuits (reaping no benefit whatsoever) such as
alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, giant screens (home cinemas), etc.