"Transforming Wealth into a Blessing: The Spiritual Path to Success and Gratitude"
Hina Sayed
As a passionate Arabic language mentor, Quran facilitator, business and life coach, I empower individuals to unlock their full potential.
A Thoughtful Insight from Dr. Muhammad Akram Nadwi, Oxford ??
I recently sought clarification from one of the most respected scholars of our time, Dr. Muhammad Akram Nadwi, on the subject of wealth, which is a trial (fitnah) as mentioned in the Qur’an. His profound response has illuminated the balance between earning lawful wealth and the responsibilities that come with it.
The Qur'an and Hadith do indeed encourage the pursuit of lawful wealth. Yet, it is essential to understand the concept of fitnah not as condemnation but as a test of our gratitude and how we use the blessings bestowed upon us.
I am grateful to Dr. Nadwi for shedding light on this critical issue, helping us overcome confusion, and guiding us toward the right path.
May Allah make us all among the grateful and righteous servants. Ameen.
Here, I am attaching my question with his response:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful # The Meaning of Wealth Being a Trial By: Dr. Muhammad Akram Nadwi, Oxford Dr. Syeda Hina Fatima from Mumbai is an Arabic language professor who is deeply engaged in spreading the teachings of the Qur'an. Recently, she initiated a campaign to promote entrepreneurship among women. It appears that the Qur'an and Hadith encourage earning lawful wealth. However, the Qur'an also refers to wealth as a fitnah (trial), which might give the impression that wealth is condemned. She has asked me to write a response to clarify this issue so that her students may overcome any confusion. Response In this world, there are two significant means for human beings to achieve purity, elevation, and self-sufficiency: knowledge and wealth.
Women also need to advance in both these areas. The more educated women are, the more the darkness of ignorance, disbelief, polytheism, innovations, corruption, and superstition will be dispelled from Muslim societies. Unfortunately, in the Indian subcontinent, serious consideration has not yet been given to women's education. Most people only support women's education out of compulsion, and they are not willing to accept, in principle, that education is a fundamental religious and human right of women. Similarly, financial independence will give women dignity and help resolve their families' issues.
Many women are widows or very poor. If they strive to earn money through employment or business, it will undoubtedly be a significant jihad (struggle). This jihad is possible even while raising children and fulfilling household responsibilities. From the time of Umm al-Mu'minin (Mother of the Believers) Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) until now, countless women have set excellent examples. Employment and business have their merits, but business will always be preferable, and the reasons for this preference are evident.
The virtues of wealth are countless. The Qur'an describes wealth as a means for human sustenance and survival: "And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you." (Surah An-Nisa 4:5). As you mentioned, there are Hadiths that encourage earning lawful wealth, and reason also acknowledges the importance of wealth. The question arises: why wealth is referred to as a fitnah (trial) in these verses: "Your wealth and your children are but a trial." (Surah At-Taghabun 64:15) and "And know that your properties and your children are but a trial." (Surah Al-Anfal 8:28)? Before answering this question, it is appropriate to explain the term fitnah. Al-Raghib al-Isfahani has written in his book Mufradat al-Qur'an: "The origin of fitnah is to put gold in the fire to distinguish its pure from its impure parts." Thus, the primary meaning of this word is to test something by putting it through a trial, as Allah says: "And We test you with evil and with good as a trial, and to Us you will be returned." (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:35). When Allah tests people through something, the thing itself doesn't need to be evil. In both the verses above, wealth and children are described as trials.
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These are among God's greatest blessings. In Surah Nuh, it is said: "And said, 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers and give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.'" (Surah Nuh 71:10-12). People argue that the term fitnah condemns wealth, but no one claims that children are condemned, even though both are mentioned together as a fitnah. Remember, when God bestows blessings, two responsibilities fall upon the recipient: 1. The first responsibility is not to forget the Giver of the blessing upon receiving it but to thank your Master, increase obedience, and refrain from disobedience. 2. The second responsibility is to share this blessing with others. For instance, when wealth increases, paying zakat, caring for relatives, and striving to be at the forefront of all good deeds is necessary. If you properly fulfill these two responsibilities, you will succeed in the trial of wealth. May Allah make us all among the grateful?servants.?Ameen
?? What an enlightening response I've received from the legendary scholar Dr. Muhammad Akram Nadwi!
His insights on wealth being a trial have given me and my students a clearer understanding of how to balance earning lawful wealth and fulfilling our responsibilities as Muslims. I am truly grateful for this guidance!
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Transformational Reading Coach, CEO Beacon of Horizon
6 个月Awesome the community needs this ?? . Most of see wealth as evil. Not really especially when its used for productive missions. Thanks for sharing ??
As a passionate Arabic language mentor, Quran facilitator, business and life coach, I empower individuals to unlock their full potential.
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