wealth 10 quranic teachings

http://understandquran.com/wealth-10-quranic-teachings.html



Just enter Youtube and type in “wealth” and you’ll be instantly bombarded by advice on how to get rich, advice given by people who’ve stumbled upon a bit of good luck and seek to make even more money from it be convincing you that you too can “have it all.”
And then there are your peers, who can be probably divided up according to those who say they care nothing for money (but don’t mind spending other people’s) and those who openly and aggressively strive after economic wealth, ignoring the cost to the environment, their relationships, and even their very souls.
Time to turn to the Quran for some perspective. What, in fact, does the Quran say about wealth? Is it good, bad, or indifferent? It all depends . . .

1. Wealth is one of the blessings of Allah, but losing it— or in fact never having it in the first place— may be His way of testing you.

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient . . . [Quran, 2:155]

2. Attachment to wealth is not a characteristic of the righteous.

. . . but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous. [Quran, 2:177]

3. Wealth must always be lawfully gained.

And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]. [Quran, 2:188]

4. The more you have, the more you’re expected to give.

. . . But give them [a gift of] compensation – the wealthy according to his capability and the poor according to his capability – a provision according to what is acceptable, a duty upon the doers of good. [Quran, 2:236]

5. Spending your wealth in the way of Allah is the best investment you can possibly make, as it will be blessed many times over.

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. [Quran,2:261]

6. Spending in the way of Allah must be done with grace and humility.

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. [Quran, 2:264]

7. We’re not to be impressed by the wealth of those who don’t believe.

So let not their wealth or their children impress you. Allah only intends to punish them through them in worldly life and that their souls should depart [at death] while they are disbelievers. [Quran, 9:55]

8. Wealth can become a false comfort, distracting us and keeping us from striving in the cause of Allah.

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that – then those are the losers. [Quran, 63:9]
And when a surah was revealed [enjoining them] to believe in Allah and to fight with His Messenger, those of wealth among them asked your permission [to stay back] and said, ‘Leave us to be with them who sit [at home].’ [Quran, 9:86]

9. Wealth is good. Good deeds are better.

. . . wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one’s] hope. [Quran, 18:46]

10. Material wealth is only of benefit in the world, because we can’t bring it with us into Paradise.

The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children . . . [Quran, 26:88]
The next time you start thinking wealth might solve your problems, think again. Keep the words of the Message foremost in your mind, and you may just save yourself a great deal of pointless striving!

May your heart be touched and your mind opened,

Bahlool and a Traveler

It is said that a traveler came to Baghdad and Haroun Rashid's court. He asked a few questions before the Khalifa to his viziers and wise men, but no one could answer correctly.

The Khalifa got angry and said to his scholarly courtiers and viziers, “If you people can't answer this person's questions, then I will give your entire wealth to him.”

Those present wanted 24 hours time, which the Khalifa gave. One of them said, “I think that we should seek out Bahlool. No one except he can give correct answers to this foreigner.”

So, they went to look for Bahlool and told him the whole story when they found him. Bahlool agreed to answer the foreigner's questions the next day. He addressed him, “Ask whatever you want. I am ready to answer.”

The man sketched a circle with his cane and looked at Bahlool.

Unhesitatingly, Bahlool drew a line in the middle of the circle, cutting it in half.

The traveler made another circle. This time Bahlool divided it into four equal parts, and pointing one out, he said to the man, “This one part is land, the other three are water.”

The traveler knew that Bahlool understood him and had given him correct answers. He praised Bahlool before the scholars, Khalifa, and all those present. Then he put the back of his hand on the floor and pointed his fingers toward the sky.

Bahlool did the opposite; he put his fingers facing the ground with the back of the hand upwards. The traveler praised him a lot, saying to the Khalifa, “You should be proud of keeping such an intelligent scholar.”

The Khalifa said, “I don't understand these questions and answers.”

The traveler explained, “I drew a circle. My purpose was to show the earth's being round. He understood and cut it into two pieces. He wanted to show me that he believed the earth was round, and that he knew its signs. He drew that line, making two equal pieces to show North and South. The second time I drew a circle, he divided it into four parts to show me that the earth has four parts. One part is land, while the other three are water. The third time when I put my palm and fingers facing upwards, my purpose was to show the growing plants and the secrets of their development. Bahlool also pointed his hand out as rain and the sun's rays and explained that the growth of vegetation is because of rain and sunlight. Therefore, you should be proud of such an intelligent person.”

The scholars and viziers were saved form Haroun Rashid's anger by Bahlool's ready, witty replies. They thanked Allah and Bahlool very much.

reference : http://www.al-islam.org/stories-of-bahlool-translated-by-kubra-jafri/bahlool-and-traveler