state, he grows insolent—may Allah protect us—his pride swells, and he even deems himself above worshipping Allah. The Exalted has said: “No indeed! Man certainly transgresses when he sees himself self-sufficient; yet to your Lord is the return” (Surah al-‘Alaq 6–8). In other words, no matter how independent or elevated you become, your journey ends with Allah.

We can plainly see that wealth often becomes a source of corruption—Allah’s refuge is sought. A person may be humble, submissive to Allah, broken-hearted and free of arrogance while in poverty; but once Allah provides him with riches, he grows haughty—Allah save us—and his wealth leads him to rebellion.

Conversely, there is “an impoverishing poverty.” Poverty is a lack of means, such that a person possesses no money. It makes him forget many of his true interests, for he becomes preoccupied with earning a living at the expense of matters that really concern him; this is a common sight. Hence a person is endangered by either of these two states: wealth that drives to transgression or poverty that causes forgetfulness.

If, however, Allah grants a servant a wealth that does not make him overstep, or a poverty that does not distract him, so that his condition remains balanced, his worship upright, and his affairs sound, then that is worldly happiness.

Worldly happiness is not found in abundant wealth, for that abundance may lead to tyranny. Ponder, therefore, His words: “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer—We will surely grant him a good life, and We will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do” (Surah al-Nahl 97). He did not say: “We will expand his wealth and give him vast riches.” Rather, He said: “We will surely grant him a good life,” whether that be through plenty or through little.

It is also related from the Prophet ﷺ in a sacred hadith, narrating from Allah: “Among My servants are those who, were I to enrich them, wealth would ruin them; and among My servants are those who, were I to impoverish them, poverty would ruin them…”