The Difference Between the Provision of Rich and Poor in This World and Its Wisdom
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, p.208
❖ Question
Why is there a difference in provision between the wealthy and the poor, the rich and the needy, in this world?
❖ Answer
- This difference exists as part of trial and test (ibtilāʾ and imtiḥān).
- If everyone were rich and wealthy:
- There would be no scope for mutual cooperation, assistance, or compassion.
- Systems such as zakāh, ṣadaqāt, and charitable spending would not exist.
- Through this difference, the poor, needy, and destitute receive help, and wealth is spent in causes of goodness.
❖ Qur’anic Clarification
Allah explained the cause of such disparity in Sūrat al-Anʿām. If all were wealthy:
- Zakāh and charity would disappear.
- Hospitals, schools, and welfare projects would never arise.
Even atheists admire those who help the poor, support others in times of need, and spend in public welfare. If this division did not exist, generosity and beneficence would vanish.
❖ The Aspect of Trial
Allah has tested mankind in wealth as in other matters:
- Does the poor show patience, gratitude, and endurance in his poverty?
- Does the rich spend his wealth to help the needy?
- Does he contribute to charitable causes?
Thus, both wealth and poverty are tests.
❖ Reality of Human Need
- Every human being is dependent on others.
- If this need-based interdependence did not exist, as some objectors claim, then mutual cooperation would vanish, and love and concern for others would not remain in the world.
❖ Futility of Such Objections
Such objections are meaningless. By the same logic, one could foolishly ask:
- Why did Allah create sick and healthy people—why not make everyone healthy?
- Why did Allah create men and women—why not make all the same?
- Why create fair and dark-skinned people?
- Why not make everyone immortal?
Reasonable people recognize the absurdity of such questions.
❖ The Blessing of Diversity
The difference is itself a source of beauty and balance in the world:
گلہائے رنگ رنگ سے ہے رونق چمن
اس جہاں کو ہے زیب اختلاف سے
"The garden is adorned by flowers of many colors,
This world is beautified by differences."
Without differences, the world would be unbearable.
❖ The Aim of the Objectors
The real intention of those who raise such questions is denial of Allah’s existence.
- They imagine that man acts entirely by his own will, and that these disparities are man-made.
- For such people, the first step is to establish the existence of Allah.
- Once they accept that, other doubts automatically fall away; otherwise, further debate is useless.
❖ Conclusion
- The difference between rich and poor is Allah’s design for trial and balance.
- It enables charity, compassion, cooperation, and welfare.
- It is not injustice but part of Allah’s wisdom, beautifying the world and testing mankind.
ھذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
