The ability to distinguish between material possessions and spiritual investment can lead a person towards a life of true abundance.
Being rich can be both a spiritual journey towards financial freedom and a financial journey towards spiritual freedom
Rich. It’s a four-letter word that many of us want to be. And it’s not such a bad idea, either, according to our faith. Seeking material wealth is allowed and even encouraged in Islam, as long as our affluence serves to ease us towards the truth. God says in the Quran:
“Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has brought for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?” (Al-A`rāf 7:32)
Being rich in this Quranic sense entails the responsibility of being a good servant of God. It is at the same time a spiritual journey towards financial freedom and a financial journey towards spiritual freedom. It is a form of affluence that encompasses not only material wealth, but also a charitable personality, a blissful soul, an enlightened mind and an ability to inspire the drive for prosperity in others. How does one reach that pinnacle of richness? Contrary to what is taught by many “get-rich-quick” schemes, the true ingredients of lasting and wholesome affluence are actually rooted in our own internal resources.
Because our mind creates our reality, the first asset that a truly wealthy individual owns is a “rich” mindset; one that is unbounded by limitations. It is a mind that is always hungry for knowledge, thinks anything is possible and can overcome its own fears. Simple as it may seem, such a mindset is powerful in driving a person towards the attainment of her or his richness.
The best expenses we can make are those that will please our Supreme Lender and bring happiness to other living beings.
This is because developing such a mindset requires the courage to face one’s own ego and fears – the very elements that often get in the way of us reaching our dreams. This kind of mindset also provides fertile ground for ideas and creativity, aka the seeds of wealth.
But courage and ideas are not enough by themselves. Just as the best seeds won’t sprout without regular watering and sunshine, it takes lots of discipline, hard work, patience and perseverance before a good idea starts to bear the fruits of success. Moreover, the road to prosperity is also lined with disheartening setbacks and failures. It is therefore crucial that those who aspire to be wealthy have strong faith and believe that God has made the best plans for all of us. Think of the tribulations that God gives us as His way of reminding us to maintain our humility. When met with hardship, a spiritually rich person is more able to pick up what pieces are left and keep on going. Just remember: The finest steel has been through the hottest furnace.
Whenever we are lucky enough to succeed and prosper, let us be reminded that every cent in our pocket only comes our way through the Mercy of the Sustainer, and hence must be put to use wisely and with prudence. People have lost their hard-earned money simply because they didn’t practice sound financial habits. Others have had their life savings wiped out overnight because of wrong investment choices. Financial management is almost like a new type of science today. To optimize our wealth, we need to stop risking and wasting what we have.
Perhaps most importantly, as set out in the beginning of our journey, let us keep in mind that our material possessions are merely tools that God has lent to us in order for us to get by in this temporary life. While we are allowed to enjoy the provisions of this worldly journey, the best expenses we can make are those that will please our Supreme Lender and bring happiness to other living beings. Unlike purchases of worldly consumables whose values diminish over time, this type of spending is an investment towards our afterlife. Striking a moderate chord between the spending of today and the investment for tomorrow – and the afterlife – is a never-ending endeavor that will continue until we arrive at our final resting place.