|
Poverty
is sometimes praiseworthy, especially when the poor person is contented
with what Allah has given him and does not pay attention to what others
possess. Muslim reported on the authority of `Amr ibn Al-`Aas (may Allah
be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be
upon him) said, “He is successful who has accepted Islam, has been
provided with what is sufficient for his want, and has been made
contented by Allah with what He has given him.”
In
this respect, Abu Hazim said, “Whoever does three things is apt to
have a perfect mind: to know what he really is, to safeguard his own
tongue (from lying, backbiting, and the like), and to be contented with
what Allah has provided him with.”
In
contrast, avarice and greed are blameworthy flaws that the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) forbade, stressing that no one will
get anything except what Allah has written down for him.
It
was said that if someone were to ask Greed who its father is, it would
answer, “Doubting about destinies.” And if someone were to ask Greed
what its profession is, it would reply, “Humiliation
acquisition.”‘ And if someone were to ask Greed what its goal is, it
would say, “Deprivation!”
How
to Remedy Avarice and Greed
The
remedy for avarice and greed has three components: patience, knowledge,
and action. And these three are to be acquired through five things:
1.One
should deal with one’s livelihood and financial needs economically and
be contented with any available food, drink, clothing, et cetera. The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was reported to have said,
“Economization is half of livelihood.” (Reported by Ad-Daylami)
2.If
one is provided with sufficient livelihood, one should not worry about
the future; rather, one should be certain that one’s provision will
come to one as Allah has predestined.
3.One
should be aware of the meaning of independence, which is apparent in
being content, and of the meaning of humiliation, which is apparent in
avarice and greed.
4.One
should contemplate about the life of ease that the disbelievers and the
foolish enjoy, then meditate on the conditions of the prophets and the
righteous people and how content and patient they were. This will
encourage one to be content with one’s provision, no matter how little
it is, and not to be seduced by the enjoyment of those disbelievers and
fools.
5.One
should understand the dangerous effects of collecting wealth and think
over the good rewards that the patient poor people receive. One is also
recommended to look at those who are poorer than oneself. The Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Look at those who are below
you and do not look at those who are above you, for this is more
becoming that you do not despise Allah’s favor(s) upon you.”
(reported by Muslim)
|
