DON'T BE SAD Episode 133

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*DON'T BE SAD*

Episode 133

*PRUDENCE*

No one spends prudently except that he is saved from having to depend on others. 

A poet said:

"Save your money, for with wealth comes respect,

And you can do without asking uncle or cousin."

The philosophy that promotes extravagance in spending is false and is detrimental to one's well being. The roots of such ideas are found in India, or originate from the ignorant among the Sufis. Indeed, Islam promotes earning money honestly and spending it in a proper way. Applying these two principles is what make one honourable through his wealth. The following saying of the Prophet (Blessings and Peace of ALLĀH be upon him) is proof of this:

"Blessed is good wealth (that which is earned honestly) in the hands of a righteous man."

In contrast to him is one who is inundated in debt or one who is indigent. The former is always troubled and worried that all of his possessions will be taken away from him, and the latter is continuously struggling just to find the means of staying alive.

The Prophet (Blessings and Peace of ALLĀH be upon him) said:

"O' ALLĀH, I seek refuge in You from disbelief and from poverty."

He (Blessings and Peace of ALLĀH be upon him) also said:

"Poverty is almost disbelief."

There is no contradiction between the previous Hadīth and the Hadīth in Ibn Maajah:

"Seek to have little in this world, and ALLĀH will love you: do not seek what others have, and people will love you."

This Hadīth has a defect in terms of its authenticity. Yet suppose it to be other than weak, and the meaning is that you should be content with having the bare necessities, and you should be satisfied with that amount of provision which saves you from having to beg or ask for people's help. At the same time, you should be noble and self-dependent and have sufficient means to prevent you from asking others for help.

"Whoever wishes to be free from dependency on others, ALLĀH will make him so."

An Arab poet said:

"I never had my hands outstretched except to the Creator,

And I never sought a dollar from one who reminds others of his favours."

In an authentic Hadīth, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace of ALLĀH be upon him) said:

"For you to leave rich those who inherit from you is better than leaving them poor, (in which case) they will have to ask of people."

In another authentic Hadīth, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace of ALLĀH be upon him) said:

"The upper hand is better than the lower one."

The meaning of this Hadīth is that the giver is better than the receiver.

Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 273:

لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِي الْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَاءَ مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَاهُمْ لَا يَسْأَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ

(Charity is) for Fuqara (the poor), who in Allah's Cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well.

The following verse indicate that one should not be fulsome in praising people in order to receive financial assistance from them, since ALLĀH has guarantee our sustenance:

Surah An-Nisa, Verse 139:

الَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَيَبْتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ الْعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ الْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا

Those who take disbelievers for Auliya' (protectors or helpers or friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory with them? Verily, then to Allah belongs all honour, power and glory.

An Arab poet said:

"I have no intention of kissing someone's hand,

For me, cutting it off is better than that kiss,

When one gives me a favour he enslaves me,

Or if not, at least I feel ashamed."