What do Muslims think about Poverty and Wealth?

Answer 1

This question is 'directionless'. What a common man would think about poverty and wealth from the point of his concern is what a Muslim thinks about the same. The only difference lies is in the context of the message of the Qur'an which states that "indeed Allaah is the giver of the wealth and the things which you don't know".

Hence when a Muslim is impoverished, he makes an attempt to earn his livelihood through the means which have been deemed lawful in the Shari'at and prays to Allaah to bear fruits to his attempts.

A wealthy person, as per the Shari'at, gives away the Zakaat to his Ulil Amr who is Da'i ul-Mutlaq (aq) of his time, he gives Sadaqaah (charity) to the needy.

There are 5 pillars in Islam. One of them is "zakkat" this means that you have to donate money to the needy every year. 5% of your savings has to go to the needy. Muslims have peace, they are not greedy for wealth.

Answer 2

Quran says:

• {If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds [thereby]. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted. (271)} [Quran, chapter 2, verse 271]
• { O mankind, you are those in need of Allah, while Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy. (15)} [Quran, chapter 35, verse 15]
• { Here you are - those invited to spend in the cause of Allah - but among you are those who withhold [out of greed]. And whoever withholds only withholds [benefit] from himself; and Allah is the Free of need, while you are the needy. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you. (38)} [Quran, chapter 47, verse 38]
• {Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. (60)} [Quran, chapter 9, verse 60]
• { Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (268)} [Quran, chapter 2, verse 268]

Answer 3

poverty and wealth are a test from Allah (God). So in poverty they still pray to Allah and have hope in Allah and have patience and act wisely because they see it as a test.