Wealth and Knowledge

1. Anas (ra) says the Prophet (saws) passed by the house of an  Ansari that had a dome over its entrance. He enquired what it was. His companions told him that it was a dome that so and so had built. The Prophet (saws) said: “Wealth that is spent this way will be a source of misery for man on the Day of Judgment.” When the Ansari came to know of the Prophet’s comment, he demolished it. The Prophet (saws) happened to pass by the place again and not finding the dome enquired about it and was told that the man had demolished it. He said: “May Allah show him mercy. May Allah show him mercy.”

2. `Umar (ra) says he heard the Prophet (saws) say: “If you were to trust Allah in the manner in which He should be trusted He would feed you the way He feeds the birds. They go out hungry in the morning and return well fed by the evening.”

3. Abu Ayyub (ra) reports that a man came to the Prophet (saws) and said: “Advise me and make it short.” The Prophet (saws) said: “When you stand up for Prayers do it as if it is the farewell Prayer; do not say a thing for which you might have to seek people’s pardon; and fasten no hopes on what the people’s hands posses.”

4. Abu Bakarah (ra) reports the Prophet (saws) as having said: “One of the things people have preserved from the sayings of the previous Prophets is: `If you have no shame then go and do what you like.'”

5. Abdullah (ibn Mas`ud, ra) says: “The Prophet (saws) told me to recite the Qur’an for him. I began to recite surah al-Nisa’. When I reached the verse which said: `How will it be when We shall bring forth a witness from every nation and present you as the witness over them?‘ – I raised my head I saw that his eyes were wet.”

6. Sa`d b. Abi Waqqas says the Prophet (saws) said: “Cry. And if you cannot then at least make a try.”

7. `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (ra) says the Prophet (saws) said: “Envy  (hasd) is not allowed but of two: one whom Allah (swt) gave wealth and he goes about spending it in all direction and two he whom He gave wisdom and he judges with it and teaches it to others.”

8. Abu Hurayrah (ra) says the Prophet (saws) said: “It is enough of evil for a man that he should look down upon the people.”

9. Abu Hurayrah (ra) reports the Prophet (saws) as having told him: “O Abu Hurayrah, be Godfearing you will become the most humble of the people; be content you will become the most thankful of the people; wish for the people what you wish for yourself – (if you did these things) you will become a believer; be good to the neighbor you will become a Muslim; and cut down your laughter, for too much laughter deadens the heart.”

10. Abu Dhar (ra) says I asked the Prophet (saws): “A man works to please Allah, but people begin to love and respect him for those deeds! (Is that riya’ or nifaq?)” He replied: “That is an immediate reward as glad tidings (about what is to follow in the Hereafter).”

11. Abu Kabsha al-Anmari says the Prophet (saws) said: “The example of this  ummah is like that of four people. (First), a man whom Allah gave wealth as well as knowledge. He applies the knowledge to his wealth and spends where it should be spent. (Second), a man whom Allah gave knowledge but not wealth. He says to himself: `Had I wealth like the other man I would also spent it the way he does.’ They are equal in reward. (Third), a man whom Allah gave wealth but not knowledge. He is confused about how to spend and ends up spending where he shouldn’t. Finally, a man whom Allah gave neither knowledge not wealth. He says: `Had I what the other man has I would have also spent it in the same manner.’ The two are equal in sin.”