Authored by: Sheikh al-Islam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab (رحمه الله), Translated by: Maulana Mukhtar Ahmad Nadwi (حفظه الله)
The people of ignorance believed that those who were granted wealth and prosperity in this world were beloved by Allah. As Allah has said:
"And We did not send a warner to any city except that its wealthy people said, ‘We disbelieve in what you have been sent with.’ And they said, ‘We are greater in wealth and children, and we will not be punished.’ Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord extends provision to whom He wills and restricts it, but most of the people do not know. And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them there will be a double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers, secure. But those who strive against Our signs to invalidate them, those will be brought into the punishment. Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts it for him. But whatever you spend, He will compensate it, and He is the best of providers.’”
(Surah Saba, 34:34-39)
In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah further says:
"And you were not on the western side when We decreed to Moses the command, and you were not among the witnesses. But We produced [many] generations, and it prolonged their lives. And you were not a resident among the people of Madyan, reciting to them Our verses, but We were sending messengers. And you were not at the side of [Mount] Tur when We called [Moses], but [you were sent] as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people to whom no warner had come before you that they might be reminded. And if not that a disaster should strike them for what their hands put forth [of sins] and they would say, ‘Our Lord, why did You not send us a messenger so we could have followed Your verses and been among the believers?’ But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, ‘Why was he not given like that which was given to Moses?’ Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Moses before? They said, ‘[They are but] two works of magic supporting each other, and indeed we are, in both, disbelievers.’ Say, ‘Then bring a scripture from Allah which is more guiding than either of them that I may follow it, if you should be truthful.’"
(Surah Al-Qasas, 28:44-49)
In another place, Allah says:
"Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men. When his people said to him, ‘Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant. But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.’ He said, ‘I was only given it because of knowledge I have.’ Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and more abundant in wealth? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.”
(Surah Al-Qasas, 28:76-78)
These verses clarify that the increase or decrease in provision is according to Allah's will, and His love and pleasure are due to obedience to Him, following His messengers, and having firm belief in the truth based on clear evidence. The abundance of wealth and worldly provisions does not signify that those enjoying them will be saved from punishment. If the world were as valuable as a mosquito's wing in the sight of Allah, He would not have allowed the disobedient ones to even drink a drop of water.
As Allah says:
"And if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful, for their houses, ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount.”
(Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:33)
As a poet has said:
"How many learned scholars have been deprived of provision,
While ignorant ones live in luxury."
Another well-known saying, attributed to a great scholar, goes:
"We are pleased with what the Almighty has apportioned for us,
Knowledge for us, and for the ignorant, wealth."
"For wealth will soon perish,
But knowledge will endure without end."
In conclusion, there are many evidences and witnesses that prove that the belief of the people of ignorance—that worldly wealth and beauty are signs of closeness to Allah—is false. Anyone with insight will disregard such false notions.
The people of ignorance believed that those who were granted wealth and prosperity in this world were beloved by Allah. As Allah has said:
"And We did not send a warner to any city except that its wealthy people said, ‘We disbelieve in what you have been sent with.’ And they said, ‘We are greater in wealth and children, and we will not be punished.’ Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord extends provision to whom He wills and restricts it, but most of the people do not know. And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them there will be a double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers, secure. But those who strive against Our signs to invalidate them, those will be brought into the punishment. Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts it for him. But whatever you spend, He will compensate it, and He is the best of providers.’”
(Surah Saba, 34:34-39)
In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah further says:
"And you were not on the western side when We decreed to Moses the command, and you were not among the witnesses. But We produced [many] generations, and it prolonged their lives. And you were not a resident among the people of Madyan, reciting to them Our verses, but We were sending messengers. And you were not at the side of [Mount] Tur when We called [Moses], but [you were sent] as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people to whom no warner had come before you that they might be reminded. And if not that a disaster should strike them for what their hands put forth [of sins] and they would say, ‘Our Lord, why did You not send us a messenger so we could have followed Your verses and been among the believers?’ But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, ‘Why was he not given like that which was given to Moses?’ Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Moses before? They said, ‘[They are but] two works of magic supporting each other, and indeed we are, in both, disbelievers.’ Say, ‘Then bring a scripture from Allah which is more guiding than either of them that I may follow it, if you should be truthful.’"
(Surah Al-Qasas, 28:44-49)
In another place, Allah says:
"Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men. When his people said to him, ‘Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant. But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.’ He said, ‘I was only given it because of knowledge I have.’ Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and more abundant in wealth? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.”
(Surah Al-Qasas, 28:76-78)
These verses clarify that the increase or decrease in provision is according to Allah's will, and His love and pleasure are due to obedience to Him, following His messengers, and having firm belief in the truth based on clear evidence. The abundance of wealth and worldly provisions does not signify that those enjoying them will be saved from punishment. If the world were as valuable as a mosquito's wing in the sight of Allah, He would not have allowed the disobedient ones to even drink a drop of water.
As Allah says:
"And if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful, for their houses, ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount.”
(Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:33)
As a poet has said:
"How many learned scholars have been deprived of provision,
While ignorant ones live in luxury."
Another well-known saying, attributed to a great scholar, goes:
"We are pleased with what the Almighty has apportioned for us,
Knowledge for us, and for the ignorant, wealth."
"For wealth will soon perish,
But knowledge will endure without end."
In conclusion, there are many evidences and witnesses that prove that the belief of the people of ignorance—that worldly wealth and beauty are signs of closeness to Allah—is false. Anyone with insight will disregard such false notions.
