Life's Essence, Wealth & 4 Types of People

This is an excerpt from one of Abdul Rahman’s speeches. Its translated more or less meaning.

Whatever means and conditions present in this world, they are not meant to determine whether someone is a success or failure. Rather they serve purpose of being a test. Irrespective of which means one possesses or condition one is in, the test is whether is he going to follow the order of Allah or follow his desire? The means and conditions are created by Allah to test human being. To become successful Allah has revealed this religion ie Islam. To elaborate, its mentioned in books of hadith Allah has created 4 kinds of people in this world.

(1) First has wealth destined for him. Wealth is not related with neither intelligence nor effort. Someone is very intelligent that’s why he is wealthy (not absolute truth). Someone is very hardworking that’s why he is wealthy (not absolute truth). Rather wealth is in relation to Allah’s distribution (neither intelligence nor effort). Allah has written in one man’s destiny wealth due to which he is now wealthy. Man has to make effort to bring religion (follow Allah’s orders) into his life. Why is effort instead of wealth being mentioned? Because wealth is not required much to bring religion into one’s life but what’s more required than wealth is one’s time and effort.

This is why even if a wealthy man financially supports Islamic school/madrasah. But he has not taken time to sit down and learn Surah Fatiha then he will not be able to recollect (& recite) Surah Fatiha (which is considered ‘essential’ for prayers).  Thus, to bring religion into one’s life, man has to expend more so time and effort in comparison to his wealth. Through expending time in learning he will know areas where he should expend his time and wealth to attain Allah’s pleasure. So he expends in areas for example demands of religion, in spreading this religion and being of service to Allah’s creation.

(2) Second is person to whom wealth is not destined and he is poor. This is not a sign that Allah is upset with him. Rather its due to Allah’s knowledge and wisdom as to why someone is given more or less. This individual takes time out and makes effort to bring religion into his life. Because a person need not be wealthy to do so. Despite his poor state, he will learn he has opportunity to attain high pedigree with Allah. Thus, as he is religious he will intend if I had wealth I would spend similar to wealthy who are pious and in those areas that gain pleasure of Allah. Prophet (saw) said second person will be rewarded & honored same as first person because of his sincere intention.

(3) Third is person who has been granted wealth but he has not made effort in ensuring his life aligns with the religion. Because he is not religious he is heedless of where he spends his money. Now he will spend his wealth in areas that anger Allah. He will spend on oppressing people, to control people, not fulfill rights, works of opulence, unlawful pleasures; all those areas that displease Allah.

(4) Fourth is person to whom wealth is not destined and he is poor. But this individual doesn’t make any effort towards the religion. Due to him not practicing, he is ignorant as to how despite being poor he can be successful according to religion. That’s why when he sees the third person/not practicing rich who is living in opulence, luxury and experiencing every (unlawful) pleasure he will begrudge him. He would constantly look at him in coveting what he possesses, he would wish (to his detriment) if I had wealth like not practicing rich I would also spend in similar areas like him. Prophet (saw) said sin will be recorded for the fourth person same as the third person. Punishment that will come on not practicing wealthy will then be same on the not practicing poor. 

Abu Kabshah reported: Prophet (saw) said, “Verily, the world only has four kinds of people. There is one whom Allah has granted wealth and knowledge, so he fears his Lord in them, upholds family ties, and fulfills the rights of Allah over him. He is be in the best position. There is one whom Allah has granted knowledge without wealth. He has a sincere intention, and he says: If I had wealth, I would have acted like this person. If that is his intention, he will have the same reward as the other. There is one whom Allah has granted wealth without knowledge. He squanders his wealth in ignorance, he does not fear Allah in it, he does not fulfill his duties to his family, and he does not fulfill the rights of Allah over him. He will be in the worst position. There is one whom Allah has granted neither wealth nor knowledge, and he says: If I had wealth, I would have acted like this person. If that is his intention, he will have the same sin as the other.” (Tirmidhi)

Through this, it has been expounded the essence of life is not whether someone is rich or poor rather it is how much he/she is practicing their religion irrespective of their means (one example being wealth) or condition they are in.

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