The Millionaire who went to Jannah

[Naima Abdulkadir]

Very interesting topic. I read everything sis shiningseasons wrote and I agree with many things you mentioned. Many people might disagree with you, but you shouldn't let that get to you inshaAllah. May Allah reward you.

[Kaltham]

Originally Posted by Sireen Chaker

Assalamu Alaikum,

Shiningseasons, I'm not sure if you got the chance to listen to the trailer of this event on youtube...I think you might like to listen to the hadeeth Sheikh Muhammad Al-Shareef narrates in it...You can get to it by searching this in youtube: DiscoverU Life - The Millionaire Who Went To Jannah

In the video, the sheikh narrates the story where the poor companions complained to the prophet peace be upon him about the rich companions. They said that the people of wealth have ran away with all the good deeds. They pray like we pray, they fast like we fast, and they give sadaqah (charity, not zakah) from what remains of their wealth. The prophet pbuh taught them that Allah has given them that which they can give sadaqa with for verily, every tasbeeha is a sadaqah, every subhanaAllah, alhamdulillah, and Allahu akbar is a sadaqah.....on with all the different ways to give a sadaqah...

You know what the cool part is though? the continuation of the hadeeth!! The wealthy companions heard this hadeeth as well and so they started to implement the extra ways of giving charity...the poor companions went back to the prophet and they said: "they're even doing that!"...the prophet pbuh replied to them: This is the fadl (gift?) of Allah swt and He gives it to whomever He wishes!

Basically sister, there is nothing wrong with obtaining wealth (and very large amounts of it as well!!!) if one is paying their Zakah and giving in Charity...It's not always about hoarding wealth and satisfying egos...What's wrong with having a nice car and a big house? The owner of such things may have a better intention than a poor muslim doubting the intentions of the rich one!

If you didn't have rich Muslims, things would never be balanced! Who would support those incapable or disabled, single mothers, the older generation who have no one left to care for them, new muslims who have been disowned by their non-muslim families...the list goes on and on!

There's nothing wrong with becoming a muslim millionaire. No one knows the ego of this person or his intentions. They may be helping the poor, giving in charity, and praying their nightly tahajjud, more than anyone else in the world!

We need the wealth we just gotta keep our intentions straight while we work for it and after we get it so that we may be getting ajer for all of our actions inshaAllah

Who said that all those muslims who want to be millionaires are doing it because they want the materialism in life? What if they want to help even MORE poor and needy with their extra million bucks? Are we in their hearts to decide what they will do with their money? And whether or not they are sincere about it?

This basically boils down to the common question: which is better, the patient poor or the thankful rich

Relax guys, there's a difference of opinion alhamdulillah!

Masha Allah, this was very beautiful! Shaykh Muhammad says: "Money only magnifies what is your heart." Alhamdulillah for examples of Uthman ibn Affan, Abdulrahman bin Awf, Mutarrif ibn Shikhkheer radiya Allahu anhum, and many more rich sahaba and scholars... They show us the true examples of a believer when Allah bestows upon him the ne'ma of wealth...

Some Islamic institutions and services are criticized because they charge money for their services... Whether the fee charged is high or low is obviously subjective, but what makes me sad is how we expect Muslims to offer everything for free or for a very low price! The reason why some have this expectation is: "Islam is not about money and materialism!" Yes, that is true, Islam is totally not about money and materialism... but Islam is not against having a business or making money! So, if someone is creative and sells a service that is needed for a price the customer is willing to pay, then we should be happy that this individual is making two incomes, ajr and money! We should be supportive, whether it is by making dua for them, doing business with them or giving them constructive criticism privately if needed. It's shaytaan that makes us question others intentions. I only say this because a link was made in being a Muslim millionaire with verses in the Quran that talk about hoarding money and not paying zakah. Wallahu a'lam, but I did not see anyone in this interesting thread saying they want to be a millionaire so they can hoard the money and not pay their zakah!

I too wish I had the money and the means to be in Toronto for this amazing seminar... But Insha Allah I'm sure this is only the beginning from our dear Shaykh Muhammad.... May Allah make it a successful seminar both in terms of attendance and results... Ameen.

Fi Amaani'Laah

[Muhammad Alshareef]

Ah yes, nothing like a little controversy to stir up some attention. what I love about the topic of money is the deep emotions that are stirred up because of it, we get to face what's really going on in our hearts.

Bismillah ...
Sister, I didn't comment on what you said cause I don't know your background and what you have been through, who you are, and what experiences you are drawing from. So I chose to move on.

But because you started quoting Qur'an, and making Islamic rulings (like a believer can never remain a millionaire), I just have to set the record straight and say: you are wrong.

You cannot make something halal or haram, makrooh or mustahab without proper Shari'ah usool al-Fiqh protocol. When it comes to Shari'ah, opinions go out the window and we must use Quran/Sunnah/Ijma'/Qiyas.

The verses you quoted, I'm not sure if you know their tafseer and what the Sahabah said about them, but you are mistaken in your citation. Completely mistaken. (Ex: the hoarding applies to someone who doesn't pay Zakah. If you have a TRILLION dollars, and still pay Zakah, those verses of hellfire do not apply to you.)

What you have mentioned is nothing more then "your" beliefs about money, as we all have our beliefs.

However, once one claims that their beliefs are what the QURAN teaches, then they have slipped. May Allah forgive us all. I say this as naseeha for you sister, and for those who read this, that we must be careful to protect the shari'ah from the shortcomings of our opinions.

Rahimallahu 'imri'in 'arafa qadra nafsee

PS: I have a section in this seminar about being a millionaire, not by a bank account measure, rather by the amount of money that flows back into the community (through jobs created, sadaqah, waqf, etc.).

And you know what happens when you spend 1 million on creating jobs?

You'll make 10 million in return! That's right. Nothing less.

That's Allah's sunnah in this life. Abundance goes to those who create abundance for others.

Make dua for me and i'll make dua for you.

Originally Posted by shiningseasons

A Millionaire can never truly be 100% altruistic.

A Believer in Allah would NEVER remain a millionaire. Why? Because he would have so much taqwa that he would spend it all for the sake of Allah keeping only what is necessary for his and his family's living expenses. (See Quran verses below and educate yourselves).

The companions never died as millionaires or extremely wealthy, they all spent their wealth for the sake of Allah well before they left this earth. This is a fact. Read about Abu Bakr and how he spent his wealth. Was not the hadith applicable to him? A follower of Prophet Muhammad would follow by the Messenger's example.

God expands provision to anyone He wills and restricts it. They rejoice in the life of this world. Yet the life of this world, compared to the Hereafter, is only fleeting enjoyment. (Qur'an, 13:26)

Those who are tight-fisted with the bounty God has given them should not suppose that that is better for them. No indeed, it is worse for them! What they were tight-fisted with will be hung around their necks on the Day of Rising. God is the inheritor of the heavens and Earth, and God is aware of what you do. (Qur'an, 3:180)

... As for those who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in the Way of God, give them the news of a painful punishment. On the Day it is heated up in the fire of Hell, and their foreheads, sides, and backs are branded with it: "This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you were hoarding!" (Qur'an, 9:34-35)

[He] who has amassed wealth and hoarded it! He thinks his wealth will make him live for ever. No indeed! He will be flung into the Shatterer. And what will convey to you what the Shatterer is? The kindled Fire of God reaching right into the heart. It is sealed in above them in towering columns. (Qur'an, 104:2-9)

[mahmoudm]

get no income I am not working and I get no income support. I am supporting my children but when the right time come I hope to work and earn and give in charity. My children will insha Allah never keep more than what they need to live simple lives.

That is exactly what I thought. I am not saying I disagree or agree with you. But please email me
mahmoudm @ uwindsor .ca since there are many brothers that would like to contribute into supporting your children, thats you right, its not like we are being generous. Since you are anonymous and no one knows you then dont feel shy to send an email so we can arrange something insha'Allah.

[mahmoudm]

I know what I said might have nothing to do with what you posted previously but the brothers here thought it’s their duty to support as much as they can insha’Allah after reading your last paragraph in your last post. And if you were against that, then I ask for peace. May Allah help you raise your kids and having them surrounded with the best people.

[Muhammad Alshareef]

Originally Posted by shiningseasons

In fact, if you really read my posts, what I said I was not against you and in actual fact we agree in ways only that you are adamant to make every Muslim who does not have agree with you or has a goal to possess a lot of wealth to feel guilty about it when they shouldn't.

As salamu alaykum shiningseasons,
And indeed sister if you read my post it is not against you as well.

I thought about what you said and it made me realize some more gems:
1. When someone gives charity, their wealth is NEVER decreased. So how can we say that someone who is altruistic is not wealthy?

2. Allah promises in the quran that when someone gives 1 dollar in charity, their wealth is increased at the very least 700 times!

[Kaltham]

Originally Posted by shiningseasons

I am simply following the messenger and the Quran and sunnah as best as I can.

Jazak Allahkhair & my apologies for any misunderstandings.

Wasalam

Sister baraka Allahu feeki, this should be left at let's agree to disagree. When someone says I am following the Quran and Sunnah, this implies that if you disagree with me, you are not following the Quran and Sunnah.

I would recommend that you read up the story of Uthman ibn Affan, reasons why he was killed and the opinions of those who killed him. Sometimes small ideas develop into seriously dangerous movements. I really hope you don't take this as an attack, walaahi just a sisterly advice. May Allah make your affairs easy in this Dunya and the Akhira. Ameen.

Fi Amaani'Laah

[brother_bruce]

Salaam

Can someone please define for me what does it mean to 'hoard' wealth? My understanding is that it is to accumulate and stockpile [wealth] for selfish and miserly reasons; to not share or let the masses benefit from this wealth.

I dont believe anyone is advocating this type of behaviour. No one is suggesting that we become millionaires with the intention of growing our bank accounts, self indulgence, or such materialistic notions.

Question: Can it be possible for someone to be altruistic - to desire and spend fi sabil illah, and still have millions in their bank account?

Can it be possible for someone to be generous in a way that is beloved and encouraged by Allah [swt] and His Messenger, and still retain material wealth for personal use?

Lets look at the following well known story:

In the times of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) there was a severe famine. All the people of Madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. A caravan made up of a thousand camels loaded with a large stock of food grains belonging to Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived from Shaam (Syria). Several merchants offered to buy all of it. He asked them what profit they would pay. "Five per cent," they said. He answered that he could get higher profit than that. They began to argue with him, saying that they did not know of any merchant who would offer him more than their quote..

He said to them, "I know of one who repays a profit of more than seven hundred to a dirham (Arabian currency)." He then recited the verse of the Noble Quran in which Allah Almighty mentioned this profit. "The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." (2:261).

"O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate all this to the poor people of Madinah!" said Uthman (Radiallahu Anhu).

1. Uthman {RA} donated away a caravan of 1,000 camels fi sabil illah. In order for him to donate this amount, we can assume that he was the owner of the caravan. He is not allowed to donate someone else's wealth away.

2. For the sake of simplicity, lets pretend the value of this cargo is equivalent to $1 million USD. Numbers do not matter.

3. In a time of famine such as this one, Uthman {RA}'s wealth and stature would have increased relatively speaking. 1,000 camels is worth more in a time of famine than it is in a time of prosperity or in a ho-hum economy.

4. Where did Uthman {RA} get these camels and merchandise from? We know he was a trader. In order to acquire this wealth, he must have traded something away to get it; i.e. he must have had some personal wealth of his own in order to acquire this caravan.

5. Granted, Uthman {RA} was a very successful trader, so lets assume that he initially started out with $800k worth of goods when he went to Syria. This one expedition would have netted him a 25% return; quite the handsome margin.

What right did Uthman {RA} have to hold such a large amount of wealth, in the time of a famine? How could he possibly have accumulated so much money when people around him are starving?

The assumption that people cant become rich unless they take advantage of someone else is a mercantilist theory that had become mostly outdated in the 19th century. You can very easily become monetarily rich in a transaction and still benefit all parties.

Another story:

Abdur-Rahman Ibn Awf was amongst the most generous people at the time of the Prophet (pbuh). He continued giving with both his hands, secretly and openly until he died. Some of the figures mentioned are truly astounding: forty thousand dirhams of silver, forty thousand dinars of gold, two hundred awqiyyah of gold, five hundred horses to mujahidin setting out in the path of God and one thousand five hundred camels to another group of mujahidin, four hundred dinars of gold to the survivors of Badr and a large legacy to the Ummahaat al Muminin and the catalogue goes on. On account of this fabulous generosity,

'A'ishah said...

"May Allah give him to drink from the water of Salsabil (a spring in Paradise)." All this wealth did not corrupt Abdur-Rahman and did not change him. When he was among his workers and assistants, people could not distinguish him from them. One day food was brought to him with which to end a fast.

He looked at the food and said: "Musa'ab ibn Umayr has been killed. He was better than me. We did not find anything of his to shroud him with except what covered his head but left his legs uncovered. Then Allah endowed us with the (bounties of) the world... I really fear that our reward has been bestowed on us early (in this world)." He began to cry and sob and could not eat

Same questions as above. How did 'Abdur Rahman {RA} give away so much money? We can safely assume that he didnt find buried treasure. In fact, if I am not mistaken, 'Abdur Rahman ibn 'Awf was a muhajir from Makkah. When he came to Madinah, he had nothing. He came to Madinah and he started from scratch. He had to work for his wealth, and at a given time, its safe to assume that he, too, was a 'millionaire'.

Can he be considered to be hoarding wealth at these times? Do the verses of the Qur'an, do the ahadith quoted in this thread, apply to him?

There are plenty of other sahaba who became multi-millionaires, and not all of them donated all their money away.

Originally Posted by Sahih Muslim

Book 13, Number 3991:

Amir b. Sa'd reported on the authority of his father (Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas):


Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) visited me in my illness which brought me near death in the year of Hajjat-ul-Wada' (Farewell Pilgrimage).


I said: Allah's Messenger, you can well see the pain with which I am afflicted and I am a man possessing wealth, and there is none to inherit me except only one daughter.Should I give two-thirds of my property as Sadaqa?


He said: No.


I said: Should I give half (of my property) as Sadaqa?


He said: No.


He (further) said: Give one-third (in charity) and that is quite enough. To leave your heirs rich is better than to leave them poor, begging from people; that you would never incur an expense seeking therewith the pleasure of Allah, but you would be rewarded therefor, even for a morsel of food that you put in the mouth of your wife.


I said: Allah's Messenger. would I survive my companions?


He (the Holy Prophet) said: If you survive them, then do such a deed by means of which you seek the pleasure of Allah, but you would increase in your status (in religion) and prestige; you may survive so that people would benefit from you, and others would be harmed by you.


(The Holy Prophet) further said: Allah, complete for my Companions their migration, and not cause them to turn back upon their heels.


Sa'd b. Khaula is, however, unfortunate. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) felt grief for him as he had died in Mecca.

All three of these companions are among the 10 given good news of Paradise in this life, all were wealthy.





Money is not evil. It is what you do with the money that matters - all of us agree on this. No one is suggesting that we accumulate money and continue to grow it, for the sake of becoming millionaires. Everyone realizes that when we go to the grave, no amount currency will be of benefit to us, so its pointless to work with the $$$ as the end goal.

Money is the means to an end. Living in the West (as opposed to say, Africa or Karachi), we have the unique opportunity to grow wealth and use this wealth to benefit the Ummah. In order to benefit the Ummah, it is natural that we have the means - $$ - to do so. Donating the money is recommended and is probably the most noblest of solutions. Again, this doesnt mean we cant use the money for our own benefit or enjoyment.

I still dont understand how having wealth at any given time does automatically implies that we're committing dhulm on those who have less financial abilities than we do.

In light of the three aforementioned incidents [which do not contradict the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah also posted above], I would appreciate an explanation as to why being a millionaire is inherently wrong.

jazaks.

[Muhammad Alshareef]

Maybe you guys can understand what this event is better with a little video introduction to it that i recorded: www.discoverulife.com/millionaire

go to the webpage, check out the video, and let me know what you think ...

[Muhammad Alshareef]

Originally Posted by shiningseasons

Br Al Shareef thinks it's okay to be materialist and to become a millionaire. I have different perspective that we should not be materialist amassing wealth but others have theirs.

did I ever encourage people to be materialistic?
what is materialistic?
materialism - a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters
<LI>materialism - (philosophy) the philosophical theory that matter is the only reality
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
is that what I'm advocating? (Check out the video of me explaining the seminar at: www.discoverulife.com/millionaire )

And what is hoarding?
hoarder - a person who accumulates things and hides them away for future use
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

In Islam hoarding is:
Money that Zakah has not been paid on ...
Imam Ibn Katheer, rahimahullah, said, "As for Kanz (hoarding), it refers to the wealth on which Zakah has not been paid, according to Malik, who narrated this from `Abdullah bin Dinar from Ibn `Umar. Al-Bukhari recorded that Az-Zuhri said that Khalid bin Aslam said that `Abdullah bin `Umar said, "This was before Zakah was ordained. When Zakah was ordained, Allah made it a cleanser for wealth.''

Sister, you can have your opinions, no one is forcing you to change. It is when we quote Quran inaccurately and off topic to justify our opinions ... that's when we have slipped.

What I said to you was a naseeha for everyone. Yes, we all have access to Quran and Sunnah ... but that is not unrestricted (search on google for key word hoarding) sloppy quoting. It is done with proper scholarly protocol, which, by the way, you have access to as well: Usool AlFiqh.