Some Muslims think that Islam guides us only in matters related to hereafter .This is a misconception which needs to be clarified. Islam is the religion chosen by Allah swt and has addressed every issue related to this life and hereafter.Islam guides us in matter of economics ,culture and politics besides spiritualism.We need to focus on Quran and Sunnah and we will find solution to our problems.
An important issue related to human life is issue of economics.Every person wants to become rich . This reality has been narrated by Allah swt in Holy Quran in following way:
And verily, he is violent in the love of wealth. (Al-'Adiyat 100:8)
Most of our activities are related to economics and even the main purpose of professional education at present is to earn money. But it is our bad luck that we ignore the fact that wealth and resources are in Hands of Allah swt.
Allah swt has made it clear in Holy Quran:
And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allâh. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterous, grave, etc.). all is in a Clear Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz - the Book of Decrees with Allâh). (Hud 11:6)
On another instance Allah swt says:
Both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills. (Al-Ma'idah 5:64)
Many people think that their provisions and income are in the hands of their boss and customers where as Allah swt says in Holy Quran:
And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised. (Adh-Dhariyat 51:22).
When it is an established fact that our wealth and resources are in Hands of Allah swt than why do we ignore the sayings of Allah and His Rasool salal laho aliehi wasalam related to our wealth and economy .Here are some important points if we follow them we can be wealthy with the grace of Allah swt
Firm Belief in Allah :
If a person needs provisions and success in this life he needs favour of Allah swt .Allah swt has made it clear in the Holy Quran that He will open doors of blessings for true believers. Allah swt says:
And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes, etc.). (Al-A'raf 7:96)
So if we have firm belief in Allah swt our wealth can be increased
Piety and Abstaining from sins:
World is full of temptations and desires. A practising Muslim always try to overcome his desires and purifies himself from sins and disobedience . Allah swt has made it clear in the Holy Quran :
Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success, (Al-A'la 87:14).
So every person who wants to gain success in this life and here after should lead a pious life .Allah swt says in Holy Quran:
And fear Allâh that you may be successful. (Al-Baqarah 2:189)
One part of this success is to get good provision.This portion of is also achieved if we fear Allah swt.Allah swt says:
And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. (At-Talaq 65:2-3)
Trust in Allah swt:
When someone has trust in a trustworthy being .The trust worthy person or being never shatters the trust of the person who is having trust in him. No one can be more trustworthy than Allah swt . So when someone trusts in Allah swt the result has been mentioned in Holy Quran:
And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things. (At-Talaq 65:3)
Acting upon Commands of Allah swt:
When some one acts upon commands of Allah swt revealed in Old scriptures and Holy Quran Allah swt blesses him with provisions.Allah swt says in Holy Quran:
And if only they had acted according to the Taurât (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Qur'ân), they would surely have gotten provision from above them and from underneath their feet. There are from among them people who are on the right course (i.e. they act on the revelation and believe in Prophet Muhammad SAW like 'Abdullâh bin Salâm), but many of them do evil deeds. (Al-Ma'idah 5:66)
So people of scriptures and Muslims can gain good provisions if they follow message of Allah swt.Quran is the last book of Allah swt which holds and bears the message of Gospel and Torah .So people of scripture will also have to follow Quran if they want to get provisions mentioned in the above mentioned verse.
Seeking Forgiveness of Allah swt:
When a person commits sin or disobeys Allah swt he invites anger of Allah swt and problems start coming in his life.Allah swt says in Holy Quran:
And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. (See the Qur'ân Verse 35:45). (Ash-Shura 42:30)
When societies are disobedient to Allah swt what is the result ?The result has been mentioned in Holy Quran:
Evil (sins and disobedience of Allâh, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allâh may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allâh, and begging His Pardon). (Ar-Rum 30:41)
But when human beings turn towards Allah swt and seek forgiveness.Allah swt resolves the problem of the people and bless them with good provisions.This reality has been discussed in Holy Quran Allah swt says:
"Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; (Nuh 71:10)'He will send rain to you in abundance; (Nuh 71:11)'And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.' " (Nuh 71:12)
So by seeking forgiveness Allah swt open doors of provisions for His creations.
Dedicated duas:
According to saying of prophet Muhammad salal laho aliehi wasalam.Dua is the weapon of believer And when ever a believer faces a problem he turns towards Allah swt.Allah swt says in Holy Quran:
And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. (Al-Baqarah 2:186)
On another instance Allah swt says:
Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations. Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Little is that you remember! (An-Naml 27:62)
So when Allah listens every dua .Why cannot he replace poverty with wealth?It is our negligence that we are not turning towards Allah swt.If we invoke him our economic problems can be resolved.
Spending in Way of Allah swt:
It is the general mentality that when we spend in way of Allah swt we think that our wealth is decreasing but it is not the case.Whenever we spend in the way of Allah swt He opens new venues of income for us .Allah swt says:
And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allâh's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers." (Saba' 34:3)
On another instance He says :
that which you give in Zakât seeking Allâh's Countenance then those, they shall have manifold increase. (Ar-Rum 30:39)
So by spending in way of Allah swt we can increae our wealth.
Performing Hajj and Umrah:
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and Umrah is an act of great reward.Who soever leaves his home Allah swt fills his hands with provisions.Allah swt says in Holy Quran:
And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). (Al-Hajj 22:27)That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc. (Al-Hajj 22:28)
Nikah:
Zina and adultery is the shameful act which shatters the foundation of any society.The society where Zina and adultery is prevailing is worse than jungle.All the heavenly religions have highlighted importance of marriage.This institute of Nikah is a very sacred institution and brings a lot of blessings and provisions with it.Allah swt says:
And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Sâlihûn (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allâh will enrich them out of His Bounty. And Allâh is All-Sufficent for His creatures' needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people). (An-Nur 24:32)
There is a hadith which conveys the same message
Hadhrat Aishah (radiallahu anha) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Marry women, for they will bring for you wealth” (Bazzaaz)
If we follow all the above mentioned tips we can overcome our economic crisis with the Grace of Allah swt.May Allah swt give us toufeeq to act upon the commands of Allah and His Rasool salal laho aliehi wasalam so that we are successful in this life and hereafter Ameen
