SERVANT OF DEENAAR (WEALTH)

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

If we are working for the good of Islaam and welfare of Muslims, we shouldn't expect money or fame. We shouldn't use the name of the religion to acquire wealth or fame for ourselves. We shouldn't seek to be known by people. If we work sincerely for Allaah, He can still enrich us and make us famous for goodness if He wills. Allaah did this to many scholars of Islaam who stood firm upon His Deen with sincerity. They didn't seek fame and wealth with their knowledge. Yet, Allaah enriched them and made them popular for goodness. Their names would be remembered with du'a till the end of the world.

So, we don't need to seek these worldly things in the cause of da'wah. They should never be our targets because they would end just like other material luxuries of this life. The best thing is for us to use our knowledge and strength sincerely for Allaah alone and His Deen. Allaah is aware of those efforts and He is the only One who can reward them.

وَقُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

And say, "Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do." [Q9:105]

This is a matter I am always careful about. It is always important to purify our intention and not to go back to the ways of the People of Bidah that we had left since. If they go to functions and they are given money and recognition, they are happy. But if they attend a gathering and there is no money attached and they are not recognized, they feel bad. That is the way of the worshippers of money and fame. They look for money at all cost. Anytime they meet with one another, they talk about getting rich. They exchange nakali of seeking wealth (asiri owo). They look for magic to have many followers behind them (aworo). May Allaah save us from falling into this satanic group.

I pray Allah to grant me and the rest of us more carefulness on this matter. May we not be among those who seek wealth and fame ultimately with religious knowledge and appearance.

There is a chapter in Kitab ut Taoheed where Sheikh رحمه الله mentioned a hadith on Servant (worshipper) of Deenar (wealth). Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

 تعس عبد الدينار والدرهم والقطيفة والخميصة، إنْ أُعطِي رضي، وإن لم يُعطَ لم يرضَ رواه البخاري.

“Wretched is the slave of gold, silver, fine clothes, and garments. If he is given he is pleased, but if he is not given he is displeased.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6071)

In another riwaayah, Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

تَعِسَ عبدُ الدِّينَارِ، وَعَبْدُ الدِّرْهَمِ، وَعَبْدُ الخَمِيصَةِ، إنْ أُعْطِيَ رَضِيَ، وإنْ لَمْ يُعْطَ سَخِطَ، تَعِسَ وَانْتَكَسَ، وإذَا شِيكَ فلا انْتَقَشَ، طُوبَى لِعَبْدٍ آخِذٍ بعِنَانِ فَرَسِهِ في سَبيلِ اللَّهِ، أَشْعَثَ رَأْسُهُ، مُغْبَرَّةٍ قَدَمَاهُ، إنْ كانَ في الحِرَاسَةِ، كانَ في الحِرَاسَةِ، وإنْ كانَ في السَّاقَةِ كانَ في السَّاقَةِ، إنِ اسْتَأْذَنَ لَمْ يُؤْذَنْ له، وإنْ شَفَعَ لَمْ يُشَفَّعْ.

 "Let the slave of Dinar and Dirham of Quantify and Khamisa (i.e. money and luxurious clothes) perish for he is pleased if these things are given to him, and if not, he is displeased!" Let such a person perish and relapse, and if he is pierced with a thorn, let him not find anyone to take it out for him. Paradise is for him who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allah's Cause, with his hair unkempt and feet covered with dust: if he is appointed in the vanguard, he is perfectly satisfied with his post of guarding, and if he is appointed in the rearward, he accepts his post with satisfaction; (he is so simple and unambiguous that) if he asks for permission he is not permitted, and if he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted."

Whoever Allaah has assisted to know these hadiths and act upon them will not regret in this life and the hereafter.