WEALTH IN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Wealth in Islamic Perspective

intro: Islam commands its followers to avoid many things. Some of them are prohibited because they contradict some of the doctrines in which a Moslem is supposed to believe. Some of them are prohibited because they are immoral or unethical or unhealthy or because they represent disobedience to the devotional duties. These prohibitions may be regarded as Islamic commandments, the violation of which may constitute a major sin. A Muslim is prohibited:

1. To steal.

2. To cheat in measuring or weighing in selling or purchasing:

"Woe to the cheaters. Who when they take the measure (of their dues) from the people, take it fully, and when they measure out to others or weigh out for them they give less than is due." 83:1-3

3. To use an orphan’s fund in a way that is not in his interest:

"And draw not nigh to the orphan's fund, except in a goodly way, till he attains his maturity, and fulfill the covenant; surely the covenant will be inquired to!" 17:34

4. To gamble.

5. To withhold the zakah which is the share of the poor in the self-supporting person’s wealth. (major sin as zakah payment is one of the pillars of islam).

The security of property.

In the address which the Prophet delivered on the occasion of the Farewell Hajj, he said: "Your lives and properties are forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection."

Along with security of life, Islam has with equal clarity and definiteness conferred the right of security of ownership of property, as mentioned earlier with reference to the address of the Farewell Hajj.

On the other hand, the Holy Quran goes so far as to declare that the taking of people's possessions or property is completely prohibited unless they are acquired by lawful means as permitted in the Laws of God. The Law of God categorically declares "Do not devour one another's wealth by false and illegal means" (2:188).

Sancity of property (in war).

The Muslims have also been prohibited from taking anything from the general public of a conquered country without paying for it.

If in a war the Muslim army occupies an area of the enemy country, and is encamped there, it does not have the right to use the things belonging to the people without their consent.

If they need anything, they should purchase it from the local population or should obtain permission from the owners.

For example: Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, while instructing the Muslim armies being despatched to the battlefront would go to the extent of saying that Muslim soldiers should not even use the milk of the milch cattle without the permission of their owners.

Prohibition of riba.

Riba is an Arabic word that means increment or increase. But the Qur'an did not mean any increment as it refers to an increment in a specific transaction: the riba that was common and known among the Arabs and other nations at the time of revelation.

This is why the reference in the Qur'an came to the" riba ". This transaction was done in either of two ways:

(1) deferring an already-existing and due debt to a new maturity provided the amount of debt is increased.

(2) giving a loan that is due with an increment after a given period of time.

Islam, like other monotheistic religions, condemns and prohibits riba. The prohibition of riba in Islam is given in strong and clear-cut terms. Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an,

[But Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.] (Al-Baqarah 2:275)

[Allah has blighted usury.](Al-Baqarah 2:276)

[O you who believe, observe your duty to Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from usury if you are (in truth) believers, but if you do it not, take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger.] (Al-Baqarah 2:278-279)

No other sin is prohibited in the Qur'an with a notice of war from Allah and His Messenger! The traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) contain several statements that condemn riba and consider its practices as one of the gravest sins that invoke a curse or wrath from Allah. In one of the hadiths , the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

"The wrath of Allah is on the taker of riba, its giver, its writer, and its two witnesses." (Al Albani, Al-Jami` Al-Sahih, 5089)

Finally, there are no measuring tools or criteria to estimate the contribution of a loan to increments, especially that an asset is also exposed to declining by the same virtue that it may develop increments. Consequently, a personal loan must remain personal and it deserves thanks, gratitude, and appreciation from the borrower. It may be a reward from Allah, too, but it is not a contributor to creation of value.

In conclusion, there are many prohibitions in Islam regarding to wealth and property. Therefore, as a muslim, we must obey this prohibition so that our life will be in the blessing of Allah. Insyallah….