to whom Allah has given wealth but no knowledge, who handles his wealth recklessly, without knowledge: he does not fear his Lord in its use, maintain his ties of kinship with it, or recognize Allah’s right over it—he occupies the worst rank; and a servant to whom Allah has given neither wealth nor knowledge, who says, ‘If I had wealth, I would act with it as so-and-so does’—he is judged according to his intention, so the two are equal in their burden of sin.”

Ibn Mājah’s wording is:

“This community may be compared to four men: a man to whom Allah has given wealth and knowledge, who applies his knowledge to his wealth, spending it as is right; and a man to whom Allah has given knowledge but no wealth, who says, ‘If I had what this man has, I would do as he does.’ The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘The two are equal in reward. And a man to whom Allah has given wealth but no knowledge, who handles his wealth recklessly, spending it improperly; and a man to whom He has given neither knowledge nor wealth, who says, “If I had wealth like this man’s, I would do as he does”—the two are equal in their burden of sin.’”

Likewise, two people whose hearts are equal in faith—in knowledge, affirmation, love, strength, state, and station—may be equal even though one performs bodily deeds that the other is physically incapable of performing. As a report states:

“The believer’s strength lies in his heart, and his weakness in his body; the hypocrite’s strength lies in his body, and his weakness in his heart.”

For this reason, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in an authentic hadith:

“The strong man is not the one who overpowers others in wrestling; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry.”

He also said:

“I saw myself drawing water from a well. Then Ibn Abī Quhāfah took the bucket and drew one or two bucketfuls, though there was weakness in his drawing—may Allah forgive him. Then Ibn al-Khattāb took it, and it turned into, in