Wealth in Arabic term is known as 'al-ghina', which means 'no needs or needs less' and wealthy is known as 'al-ghaniyu' means 'self sufficient', which is one of attributes of God. As Allah swt says, "To Him belongs all that is in the heaven and on the heart: for verily God - He is free of all wants, worthy of all prices" (Quran: 22:64) and in another verse, Allah swt says, "Thy Lord is self sufficient, full of mercy…" (Quran: 6:133,). From the above verses, basically wealthy in Islam consists of two elements of life; physical and spiritual. The natural relationship between the two dimensions is closely interrelated. For wealth is an outcome of interactions between mankind and their surroundings include all things in the heaven and in/on the earth such as flora, fauna and the like that can facilitate mankind to gain a convenient life in this world.
In Arabic tradition, the first dimension of wealth was usually cattle for traditionally the Arab wealthy families were those who possessed more camels. Nevertheless, it does not mean that wealth is only derived from the animals. It can be from any things and any forms. Currently, many people possess different forms of property. It may be in the form of cash money, shares, land, house and other goods. As Allah swt says, "…God has subjected to your (use) all things in the heavens and (all things) on earth…" (Quran 31:20).
The latter dimension of wealth is food of spiritual such as knowledge and virtue. Presently, first dimension of wealth may be used as means to gain the second dimension of wealth that is knowledge and virtue through education and training. Knowledge is complete comprehension and interaction with this comprehension in the depths of the soul and conscience, which is then followed by action in harmony with them. As what Muslims are thought to recite a prayer: "O Lord, give us useful knowledge, large property and release us from any kind of illness and disease".
Muslims should use both elements of wealth in rendering the service to Allah swt. Wealth in Islam is "rizq" that connotes subsistence or means of living. This means of living is not necessarily as an outcome of man's effort. It is indeed an endowment or a gift from Allah. Because He is the one who sustains mankind's life. The effort of mankind is considered as a process, which will consequently lead to either positive or negative result. As Allah swt says, "Say: O God! Lord of Power (and rule). Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou stripest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: in Thy hand is all good. Verily over all things thou hast power. Thou causest the night to gain on the day, and Thou causest the day gain on the night: Thou bringest the living out of the dead, and Thou bringest the dead out of the living; and Thou givest Sustenance to whom thou pleasest without measure" (Quran: 3:26-27).
The wealth in Islam, may also function as means of trial and test to find out whether a person is a true Muslim or vice versa; being wealthy he is being tested and being poor or wealth-less he is also being tested. As Allah swt says, "Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honour and gifts, then saith he (puffed up), 'my lord hath honoured me'. But when He trieth him, restricting his subsistence for him, then saith he (in depair), 'my Lord hath humiliated me'" (Quran 89: 15-16).
Dealing with the wealth is not as easy as Muslims' dealing with other obligations. In fact, many Muslims perform their obligation towards their God such as performing prayers, fasting, and other ritual worships, but they fail in wealth management. Thus Arabic wise word says, "Prayer is a custom, Fasting is an affordable act, see and analyze people through their dealing with the wealth". Prayer for being an obligatory thing it may become a usual thing that people do not regard it as special and extraordinary. Thus it gradually becomes a custom. Fasting is also an obligation that Muslims perform it only a month in a lunar year, and where Muslims join together to celebrate the month, thus it becomes affordable activity. While wealth is an essential part of life, many people could not be able to pass this trial. As Allah swt says, "Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere" (Quran 2:155). Who are they?... then Allah swt explains in the following verse, "Who say, when afflicted with calamity: 'To God we belong, and to Him is our return'" (Quran 2:155-156).
In sum, wealth is not an entity that a Muslim should love, for the one whom should be beloved is the giver and sustainer, which is Allah swt. As such a person will be very happy and content with what his beloved one (God) gives. In order to get happiness in this world and hereafter, Muslims should successfully manage their wealth in accordance with the injunctions of Allah swt, use it as means to worship Allah swt, and submit every thing to Him after we have accomplished jobs, for mankind plan and execute, while He decides the result.
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