I have been reading more about materialism – the belief that we are only material and do not have a spiritual (immaterial) side.
The Quran does address this in many ways.
Here’s the first:
وَإِنَّهُۥ لِحُبِّ ٱلْخَيْرِ لَشَدِيدٌ
“And indeed mankind intensely loves wealth.” [100:8]
In this verse, Allah criticizes those of mankind who love wealth so much that it distracts them from their true goal. What’s also interesting is that Allah uses the word khair to describe wealth. Khair means good!
A lot of Muslims think that wealth is somehow a bad thing or an impure thing. Wealth is not evil nor good. How we use wealth is what matters. It can be good and it can be evil.
Two of the pillars of Islam require a decent amount of wealth. Zakat (charity) and Hajj (pilgrimate) both require one to be wealthy enough to perform.
It is true that the more wealth you have the more opportunities you will have to spend it or earn it the wrong way but also in the right way. It is also true that the wealthy will be the last to enter paradise because they will have more to account for.
What do you think? Share your reflections below!
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Materialism as a philosophy does not necessarily mean attachment to money. It’s the belief that nothing exists other than this material universe, hence the idea is similar to atheism, and assumes atheism. Of course the Quran presents many arguments showing the falsity of this position.
Assalamalaikum , Allah says in Quran that wealth is a trial. One can attain the quality of Al Birr only when we spend the wealth (what we love most) in Allah’s cause. May Allah protect us from hoarding wealth. Ameen
Absolutely marvellous
Hazt Osman and hazt Abdul Rahman bin Awf are known to be very wealthy so it’s not bad to possess wealth……how do you spend it….how much one loves it…that has to be with in the guidelines of Deen…
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. Very true wealth is only a temporary happiness given by and also will be taken by Allah. The real happiness lies in helping others and being grateful for what we have.
One of my favorite subjects. I believe it is the deciding factor that shows the level of our Iman.
Wealth and children are but ornaments in this worldly life but lasting deeds are better if you only knew. Surat al Kahf.
Lasting deeds are deeds that will pay off for us in the next life, right? So, if we choose lasting deeds over weath (and children), it proves our belief in the Akhira and our desire to be in Jannah.
Of course, it’s not as easy as that…it’s often a balancing act but nevertheless, deeds are proof of our Iman.
And what’s more, it’s a conscious act with intentions:
Somebody in a commentary I’d once read put it interestingly:
Despite my love sleep, I get up to praise my Lord.
Despite my love of money, I spend it on charity.
Doing good deeds for the sake of Allah, SWT also means we have Taqwa and we all desire to be people of Taqwa.
Doing good deeds (e.g. giving of one’s wealth can also erase sins).
There is sooo much benefit in spending in the cause of Allah, swt than spending on worldly things. The former builds a house in eternity. The latter builds a house in the Dunya that one will sooner or later have to leave behind to join their eternal abode.
So which is it that we believe in more? Time is running out Allah reminds us in Surat Al Asr.