The Danger of Counting and Hoarding Wealth

There's a certain satisfaction in accumulating and calculating our wealth, watching it grow over time. We might even hesitate to spend, worried about losing what we've worked so hard to save.

However, a powerful reminder has struck a chord within me. While financial planning is important, we must never place our trust in material possessions, believing they alone can secure our future.

The Quran cautions:

وَيْلٌۭ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍۢ لُّمَزَةٍ ١ ٱلَّذِى جَمَعَ مَالًۭا وَعَدَّدَهُۥ ٢

Woe to every slanderer and mocker, who piles up riches and counts them over! 

(Surah Al-Humazah: 1-2)

This is a stern warning for those who obsess over accumulating wealth, thinking it can guarantee their safety and well-being.

I've often observed people flaunting their wealth on social media, displaying stacks of cash and boasting about their financial security. Initially, I felt a pang of envy, imagining the carefree life such wealth could provide.

However, my perspective shifted when I delved deeper into the study of the Quran. The verse mentioned earlier resonated deeply within me. The word "woe" carries a grave weight, signaling a dire consequence for those who prioritize wealth accumulation above all else.

It's common to hear people say, "This money is for emergencies. It will protect us if something happens," While having savings is prudent, the danger lies in placing our reliance on these material possessions rather than the Almighty.

The Quran further states:

يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُۥٓ أَخْلَدَهُۥ ٣

He thinks that his riches have made him immortal! 

(Surah Al-Humazah: 3)

The problem arises when we assume that wealth can save us. It cannot. Our ultimate salvation lies with God. History is filled with examples of those who were saved without material wealth, such as the People of the Cave and Bilal ibn Rabah.

God reminds us:

إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ١٦٠

If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; but if He forsakes you, who after that can help you? In Allah then let the believers put their trust.

(Surah Ali Imran: 160)

The key takeaway is to avoid placing our dependence on created beings. Instead, we should entrust our affairs to the Creator and place our trust in Him. 

From Umar bin al-Khattab (RA) comes the narration that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

لَوْ أَنَّكُمْ تَتَوَكَّلُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَقَّ تَوَكُّلِهِ لَرَزَقَكُمْ كَمَا يَرْزُقُ الطَّيْرَ تَغْدُو خِمَاصاً وَتَرُوحُ بِطَاناً

“If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: They go out hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies in the evening.”

Musnad Ahmad (1/30), al-Tirmizi (2344), Ibn Majah (4164), Ibn Hibban (730) dan al-Hakim (7894)

Provision comes through sincere reliance on God, not solely through our calculations or hard work.

Our role is to surrender our lives to God, knowing that He is the All-Seeing and All-Knowing.

فَسَتَذْكُرُونَ مَآ أَقُولُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ ٤٤

And I entrust my affair to Allah. Indeed, Allah is Seeing of (His) servants.

(Surah Ghafir: 44)

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفْسُهُۥ ۖ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ ٱلْوَرِيدِ ١٦

And We have already created man and know whatever his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein. 

(Surah Qaf: 16)

I visited my Ayah yesterday, and he reminded me of 4 important things in life when you are feeling stuck:

اللَّهُ رَبِّي 

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ: نِعْمَ الْمَوْلَى وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّاالله

اَسْتَغْفِرُاللهَ الْعَظِيْمَ

This is a beautiful combination of believing in one God (Tauhid), trusting Him (Tawakal), and asking for forgiveness (Istighfar). They're super helpful when life gets tough, bringing peace and reminding us of what's important and keeping us on the right track.