“Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: it is like the rain which we send down from the skies: The earth’s vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah who prevails over all things. Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: But the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation) of hopes.” (Surat Al-Kahf 45-46).

Tackling the problem of how money has seriously affected our Ummah for the worse is a topic that is much beyond my bounds of time and knowledge. So for now there are three problems which I have with Muslims that in the large scale of things are farely microscopic yet in my opinion have far reaching significances both in the Dunya and in one’s Akhira.

1) The lack of zehd(asceticism) in the Muslim community.

2) The movement to make lots and lots of money, aka Muslim capitalism.

3) Making big business off of Islam.

What really angers me the most is the third subject…and so I will begin with that first.

III. Hazrat K’ab Bin Ayaz (radia Allahu anhu) states that he heard the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say: ‘Every Ummah (nation) has a test to undergo, my Ummah (nation) will be tried through the wealth.’ (Tirmizi)
This is an authentic tradtiton.

“…Nor shall they encompass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth…” (Ayatul Kursi, Surat Al Baqarah 255)

Knowledge belongs to Allah, subhanna wa taalaa….let’s just get that clear and straight. So when somebody opens a business teaching Arabic, Qu’ran, or the Deen of Islam they had better make sure they have the right intentions in mind. Are they really doing so for the sake of Allah – to help spread knowledge, to bring success to Islam – or are they doing so for the purpose of just stating a business and making a life for themselves. This is a big problem that is growing in Islam today…people capitalizing off of Islam.

Those who do so for the purpose of making money, and to the exclusion of those who cannot afford it…they are one of the worst on my Crappy Muslims List. By excluding the poor from the teaching of Islam simply because they cannot afford the price tag, means undoubtedly that what you do is not for the sake of Allah subhanna wa taalaa but for the sake of money and business and prosperity.

Tisk Tisk on those that make money on the religion of Islam. The pleasure of Allah subhanna wa taalaa is much worthier than that. The reward of he hereafter is much greater than what you succeed in profiting. So isn’t it better to teach knowledge fore the actual sake of teaching knowledge? Money is only a second factor, a means of self-sustainment. You cannot sell what Allah has given to you for free just for the purpose of making a living….that is unacceptable.

Fear the day that you will be questioned about all that you have done. If a person sought from you but did not have the means to pay…would you teach him anyway? Did you give the one who paid his money’s worth? These are all things which are not to be taken lightly, and should be something to be feared while we still have the chance to change our lives.

And so anyone still in doubt as to whether they or someone else is making such a mistake…ask the simple question (to yourself or to the other):

“Would you do it if you had to do it for free?”

II. Hazrat Abu Dharr (Radia Allahu Anhu) relates that some companions said to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): The rich people have taken away a good deal of merit. They pray and fast as we do, but they are in a position to distribute in charity a part of their wealth (which we are unable to do). He said ‘Has not Allah given you things which you can employ for charity? All glorification of Allah (saying Subhan Allah) is charity. All praise of Allah (to say Alhamdu Lillah) is charity, all affirmation of Allah’s unity (to say La Illaha Illallah) is charity; all affirmation of Allah’s greatness (to say Allahu Akbar) is charity; calling upon someone to do good is charity; prohibiting someone from doing evil is charity; to cohabit with your wife is charity.’ They asked: ‘Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), is it possible that one of us should satisfy his desire and he would be rewarded?’ He said: ‘If he satisfied his urge through illicit means, would it not be sinful? Therefore when he satisfies it lawfully it is deserving reward.’ (Muslim)

The subject which I am about to talk about is one which is not new to the Muslim community…especially to the first generation Muslims in the west; who are more likely than anyone else to experience from their parents the pressure to seek the most marketable career and the most lucrative salaries. To seek stature and well-sounding titles. This is the affect that the glitter of this world has had on the sons of Adam and to Muslims today.

It is actually quite saddening to my eyes when sheikhs tell me to seek the highest paying job. Forget about the job most beneficial to one’s health, or sanity, or peace of mind. Forget about looking for the job which will benefit Islam the most, which will help your Iman to grow, which will make you a better Muslim. In the end, in the viewpoint of all those Muslims who believe that money is the universal key to all our problems, the reasons are exactly the same “…The more money you make, the more you can give in charity.” Or “What do you want to do...live poor…so that you have to beg to feed your family” or “A stronger Muslim is better than a weaker Muslim”

The reality is, when anyone should be thinking about a job, a career, a path to take for the future the thing that should be most on his mind is how he can benefit Islam the most. Money comes second. After all, we were only put on this Earth to worship Allah and do good deeds…making Islam succeed should be the goal that we all should strive for.

Encompassing all of this, a person must remember that charity is only such a minor aspect of a Muslim’s power to do good. The power to save lives, the power to educate, the power to cure the mentality ill, the power to defend yourself; these are the things that make heroes…these are what make a real difference in the world. The power to spend money only acts as a supporting factor for all these things that really matter. Having money, contrary to the beliefs of so many, is not what is going to give us a change or strength or ability. As you can see right now…Muslims are actually some of the most wealthy people in the world…and most certainly the west. Walk into any U.S. masjids and count the all the doctors, surgeons, engineers, and computer scientists there are. Take any quick look at the masjid's parking lot and you will see it riddled with very expensive cars…each enough to build a small masjid in the U.S. or feed thousands of people in a Third World country. No…money has not helped us to create a better society of Muslims or to advance the standing of Islam in the world. It has helped us to live comfortable…to pray in gigantic masjids…to bribe senators and presidents who will always be bribed more from the Jews anyhow. What we really need are people willing to dedicate everything they have to Islam, whether rich or poor, with more than just generous wallets and high degrees. What we need is dedication to Islam first and to living comfortably second. Let us be of those willing to dedicate everything to Islam.

May Allah grant us Rahma.

To be continued in the next part insha Allah….