5 tips to increase your wealth from the Qur’an and Sunnah
When it comes to wealth, a lot of people crave for it by any means necessary. Irrespective of whether its been acquired through illicit sources, the drive is just to make money. Wealth is just a means to an end, being wealthy is not an end in itself. Only a few are satisfied with little and multitude of people do not show gratitude for this blessing. The khalifah Umar ibn Khattab Radiallahu Anhu once said: "I thought of all types of wealth, but couldn’t find a better wealth than contentment in a little".
The best of wealth is indeed found in contentment as exemplified by the Rasul Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam and the salaf of this ummah. If people become content with the little they have, then there will be no poor or deprived persons among them. If you’re content with what Allah has given you, you’d be powerful and in no need of others, even if you have a little possession in this life. Imam Ash-Shaafi‘i said: “I knew that contentment is the core of richness, and I adhered to it, so I never stood at anybody’s door, or begged anyone. Consequently, I became rich without a dirham, passing by people as if I was a king.”
Hence, the key thing is to find contentment in little and show gratitude irrespective of how blessed you are. This is the strategy to being wealthy in the real sense. Here are a few tips to increase your wealth:
- Avert usury (Ar-Riba): In the modern society today, usury has been redefined to look like a beautiful thing. No matter how appealing it looks, Allah has removed the blessing in it. Allah (SWT) says…
“Those who eat Riba (usury) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaitan (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say: "Trading is only like Riba (usury)," whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Riba (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Riba (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allah (to judge); but whoever returns [to Riba (usury)], such are the dwellers of the Fire - they will abide therein.”
Qur’an 2[al-Baqarah]:275
2. Show gratitude: Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation which can not be found among gross people. Allah tells us:
“And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks , I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe."
Qur’an 14 [Ibrahim]:7
3. Seek Allah’s forgiveness: A man once came to Hasan al-Basri and complained to him: “The sky does not shower us with rain.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness.” Then another person came to him and said, “I complain of poverty.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness.” Then another person came to him and complained, “My wife is barren; she cannot bear children.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness." The people who were present, said to al-Hasan: “Everytime a person came to you complaining, you instructed them to seek Allah’s forgiveness?” Al-Hasan al-Basri said, “Have you not read the statement of Allah?
“I said (to them): ‘ask forgiveness from your Lord; verily He is Oft-Forgiving. He will send rain to you in abundance; And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” Qur’an 71[Nuh]:10–12
4. Keep family ties: Allah’s Apostle Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam was reported to have said: “whoever would like his provisions increased and life extended should keep family ties.” (Bukhari).
5. Spend in charity: Allah has said: “Spend oh son of Adam and I shall spend on you.” The prophet Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam also said: “charity doesn’t decrease wealth”. (Bukhari, Muslim)
