The Wealthy Must
SHARE WITH THE NEEDY
The wealthy should not consider their wealth to be theirs alone, but rather think that it is others’ share which has fallen to their lot by chance.
Islam lays great stress on the wealthy not keeping their wealth for themselves, but spending it on others as well. It is recorded in a tradition, that the Prophet once observed that the help you receive is on account of the weak. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2896)
It has been generally observed that some are wealthier than others. What is the reason? The reason lies in the system of nature which God has established to meet His exigencies. This world has been made for the purpose of putting a person to the test. It is the demand of this test that there should be differences between the people. In actual fact, it is these differences which create testing situations in human society. If there were no differences of this kind between people there will be no circumstances in which one might be tested.
One of these differences is congenital, some being strong while others are weak mentally as well as physically. It is due to these differences that some, because of their superior abilities, are able to acquire more wealth, whereas others, because of their lesser abilities can never be really wealthy.
It is as if one having more wealth is explained by the weakness of others. If all are strong, then there would be only a few who would not be able to acquire more wealth. Therefore, the wealthy person should acknowledge this natural state of affairs. He should accept it that his wealth is not the result of his own ability but is rather the result of divine nature of things.
If this thinking is inculcated in the minds of the wealthy they will not consider their wealth to be theirs alone, but will rather think that it is others’ share which has fallen to their lot by chance. This feeling will compel them to see that whatever they have derived from others should be returned to them. This is the teaching og Islam and this is the true human spirit.
