CHAPTER 3: THE RICH – PART 1
The Dealings of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with the rich
Introduction:
The rich are an important social class who play a very influential role in society. Wealth is considered a blessing for humanity, as Allah Says (what means): «O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing [Reesh] to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness, that is best.» [Quran: 7:26]
At-Tabari (a scholar) said: “The word, “Reesh,” in the Arabic language refers to equipment and wealth.” (Tafseer At-Tabari (12/364).)
The great blessing of wealth brings with it great responsibility and accountability. Allah Says (what means): «And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you.» [Quran: 4:5]
Ibn Katheer (a scholar) said: “Meaning, their livelihood is reliant on it, being that it is needed for trade and so forth.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer (2/214).)
Sufyaan Ath-Thawri (a scholar) said: “To leave behind ten-thousand Dirhams after my death which I will be accounted for on the Day of Resurrection is more beloved to me than to be needy of people.” (Hilyat Al-Awliyaa’ (6/381).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was followed by the rich and the poor, and many of the Companions were rich, such as Abu Bakr, `Abdur-Rahmaan ibn `Awf, `Uthmaan ibn `Affaan, Sa’eed ibn Ar-Rabee`, Abu Talhah and many others.
How did the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, treat them?
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, testified to the virtue of the virtuous among them and their service to the religion:
Abu Ad-Darda’ (a Companion) said:
“There was an argument between Abu Bakr and ‘Umar and Abu Bakr made ‘Umar angry, so ‘Umar left him. Abu Bakr then followed him, asking ‘Umar to forgive him, but he did not, until he shut his door in Abu Bakr’s face. Then Abu Bakr went to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. While I was sitting with the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Abu Bakr came, lifting up one corner of his garment until his knee showed. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Your Companion has had a quarrel.” Abu Bakr greeted him and said: “O Messenger of Allah! There was something (i.e. an argument) between me and the son of Al-Khattaab and I talked to him harshly and then regretted that, and requested him to forgive me, but he refused to do that. So I came to you.” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said three times: “May Allah forgive you, O Abu Bakr.”
Then ‘Umar regretted (that he did not forgive him), and he went to Abu Bakr’s house and asked if Abu Bakr was there. They replied that he was not. So he came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and greeted him, and the face of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, changed (due to anger). Upon seeing this, Abu Bakr knelt down on his knees and said: “O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, I was more unjust (than him).” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allah sent me to you, but you said: ‘You are telling a lie,’ while Abu Bakr said: ‘He has said the truth,’ and he consoled me with himself and his money.” He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then said twice, “Won’t you then give up harming my Companion?” After that nobody harmed Abu Bakr.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (3661).)
Abu Hurayrah (a Companion) said: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘No one’s wealth helped me as much as the wealth of Abu Bakr helped me.’ After which, Abu Bakr began to weep and say, ‘And is myself and my wealth for anything besides you, O Messenger of Allah?’ (Reported by At-Tirmidhi (3661) and Ibn Majah (94).)
This narration shows the level of etiquette and humbleness that Abu Bakr had in the presence of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for he likened himself to a slave of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, by saying that his wealth was only for the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as well as his soul and self. This comes as no surprise, for the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, has more right on the believers than themselves.
He spent his wealth in the cause of Allah, and he consoled the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, through his own self. So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, recognized that for him, and said: in order to build his stature and to remind the Muslim nation of his virtues: “No one’s wealth helped me as much as the wealth of Abu Bakr helped me.”
Even though the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, utilized the wealth of Abu Bakr when calling to Allah, he still preferred to use his personal money to get closer to Allah and to do acts of obedience:
In the story of the migration of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, `Aa’ishah (the wife of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned:
“Seldom did the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, not come to
the house of Abu Bakr either during the day or night, but when he, sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam, was given permission to leave to Madinah, he came to our
house at noon. Abu Bakr was informed of the Prophet’s coming, and said: ‘The
Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, has only come to us (at this time
of the day) because something important happened.’
When the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered, he said: ‘Let those who are in your home leave.’ Abu Bakr said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, these are my two daughters.’ He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, meant, `Aa’ishah and Asmaa’. So he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Did you have a feeling that I have been given permission to leave?’ Abu Bakr said: ‘I will accompany you, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, responded: ‘You will accompany me.’ Abu Bakr then said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have two animals that I have prepared for travel, so take one of them. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, responded: ‘I will take it and will pay its price.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (2138).)
Ibn Hajar (a scholar) said: “Ibn Is-Haaq (a scholar) added that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘I will not ride a camel that is not my possession.’ So Abu Bakr said: ‘Then it is yours,’ and the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘No, but only with the condition that I pay the price that you purchased it for.’” (As-Seerah An-Nabawiyyah (3/13) by Ibn Hishaam, and Fat-h Al-Baari (7/235).)
In the narration of Asmaa’ bint Abu Bakr (a woman Companion) that At-Tabarani (a scholar) reported: the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Only on the condition that I pay the price needed to purchase it.” To which Abu Bakr said: “That condition is so, if you wish.” (Fat-h Al-Baari (7/235).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, visited them, ate at their homes, and guided them to the best ways of being charitable with their money:
Anas ibn Maalik (a Companion) said:
“Out of all the Ansaar in Madinah, Abu Talhah (a Companion) had the most date-palm trees, and the most beloved of his land was Bayrahaa’, a piece of land that faces the mosque. The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to enter it and drink from some water therein.
When the verse (which means): «Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love.» [Quran: 3:92] was revealed, Abu Talhah stood and said to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ‘O Messenger of Allah, Allah Says (what means): «Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love.» and the most beloved part of my wealth is Bayruhaa’. Therefore, it is a charity for the sake of Allah, and I hope that Allah accepts it and stores it for me in my record of good deeds, so use it in any way Allah shows you (any way you see fit).’
So the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘This is such a good action, and this is profitable wealth; this is profitable wealth. I have heard what you have said, but I see that you should give it to your relatives.’
Abu Talhah said: ‘I shall do so, O Messenger of Allah.’ So Abu Talhah divided it between his relatives and cousins, and among them were Hassaan and Ubayy ibn Ka’b.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (1461) and Muslim (998).
That is how the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to advise them about which places are more suitable for charity.
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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