The Fastest way to be RICH

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Forgiving..

Today, I shared a story with my students. In fact, last week I gave a task for them to search any story to be shared in today's class. As a lecturer, I have to do the same task too. Fortunately, I have a lot of books to share with them. Last class I shared the story of The Alchemist written by Paulo Coehlo, and this week I just picked a simple story from Zabrina Bakar's book, Life is an Open Secret.

In short, some of my students shared their stories in which most of them are based on their true stories. I'm happy because they participated in my class. But what I wanna share with them is a story to be RICH.

I'm not a businessman, I'm just an ordinary person who thinks that RICH is something that so great. But the question is HOW I can be rich in the fastest way. Sis Zabrina said by mentioning some Quranic verses and hadith that CHARITY is the fastest way to be RICH. Yeah, spending in the right way will make you earn something in different ways.

Picture was taken from HERE

The Prophet (PBUH) said, 'The Upper Hand is better than the Lower Hand. The upper hand is the one that gives, and the lower hand is the one that takes".

The Qur'an highlighted that the reward of Charity is not one, but will be multiplied. Allah SWT said in the Holy Book, 'The likeness of those who spend their money for Allah's sake, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn), it grows seven ears, every single ear has a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies (increases the reward) for whom He wills, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures needs, All Knower'' (2: 261). And He SWT said again, "Whoever works righteousness, whether a male or a female, while he (or she) is a true believer, verily to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do.'' (16: 97)

Ok, one of the Companions asked the Prophet: O Allah's Messenger! What kind of charity is the BEST? The Prophet answered: "To give in charity when you are healthy and greedy hoping to be wealthy and afraid of becoming poor." [Sahih al-Bukhari] See, he even guided how to do charity.

There were many verses mentioned in the Qur'an about charity, the Prophet also encouraged to do charity and always telling the rewards of charity. But what is the meaning of RICH?

The Prophet said: لَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ
"Richness does not mean having a great amount of property, but richness is self-contentment."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8: #453]

Yeah, it's so true. I'm fall in love with this hadith. Your money or property will not determine your richness. The richness is so subjective. You can be rich in knowledge, well-behaviour, smile, happiness, and something else. However, this narration makes neither richness nor poverty a worthy pursuit. If we live in poverty, we ought to strive toward rectifying the conditions in light of God's practical divine guidance. If we are wealthy, we should be careful about what we have acquired and how, and furthermore, whether those possessions are helping us to seek pleasure or displeasure of God. If God has blessed us with resources, we do not have to be ashamed, but we should be conscious of our responsibilities and try to seek contentment. We should not also despise ourselves if we are poor. Instead, we should make honest effort in His path to improve our situation. God wants us to seek bounty from Him, but in His way. [HERE]

So, now everyone can be RICH, but please do not forget to give charity to yourself too. You cannot spending without earning. You unable to give without having an effort.

Let's be rich in the sight of Allah...

Saadah Khair
IIUM Library,
9.15pm, 21 January 2011

**Ya Allah, need your help to end this month little bit late... Yassir wa La Tu'assir..