A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
Wealth and poverty according to the ignorant, human-centric standards.
A thing is known by its opposite.
The standards of the people of this world and their understanding of wealth and poverty.
It is as previously explained: to them, wealth is an abundance of money and children.
Along with the adornments and desires of this world.
And to them, the poor person is one deprived of these things.
We have already covered, in the concept of profit and loss, some verses from the Book of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.
Which mention the standards of those who turn away from their Lord regarding poverty and wealth.
Among them is His saying, the Exalted:
“And they say: We are more (than you) in wealth and children. We are not the punished!” (34:35)
And the statement of the owner of the two gardens to his companion while he was debating with him:
“And he had fruit. And he said unto his comrade, when he spake with him: I am more than thee in wealth, and stronger in respect of men.” (18:34)
And the statement of the Children of Israel to their prophet:
“Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! Allah hath raised up Saul to be a king for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough? He said: Lo! Allah hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom and stature. Allah bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” (2:247)
The proponents of these standards live with base, humiliated souls.
Attached to the world and its people.
Relying solely upon worldly means.
Their reliance upon Allah, the Exalted, is weak.
They are distant from knowledge and its people.
Concerned only with worldly sciences.
“Such is their sum of knowledge. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth, and He is Best Aware of him whom goeth right.” (53:30)
“They know only some appearance of the life of the world, and are heedless of the Hereafter.” (30:7)
Among the punishments of Allah for those who hold these standards:
The eradication of the blessing in their wealth and their being tormented by it in this world.
And loss in the Hereafter.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
"Even if it is abundant, its ultimate end is scarcity."
Narrated by Ibn Majah and authenticated by al-Albani.