Sunday 21 June 2020

The Evil of Craving for Wealth and Leadership

Ibn Rajab (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

From what we have mentioned, it will be clear that love of wealth and leadership and craving after them destroys a person’s religion to the point that nothing except what Allaah wills remain of it, just as the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) informed. The root of love of wealth and status is love of this world, and the root of love of this world is following desires. Wahb ibn Munabbih said, “From following desires comes desire for this world, and from desire of this world comes love of wealth and status, and from love of wealth and status comes making lawful that which is forbidden.”

This is a fine saying, since love of wealth and status is caused by desire for this world, and desire for this world is brought about by following one’s desires. This is because one’s desires call to desire for this world and love of wealth and status in it. But taqwaa prevents one from following desires and prevents love of this world. Allaah the Most High said: “So as for he who transgressed. And preferred the life of the world. Then indeed, Hellfire will be [his] refuge. But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination. Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.” [An-Naazi’aat: 37-41]

Source: The Evil of Craving for Wealth and Status, p.33 by al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee.


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