The Trials of Wealth

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

One of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), by the name of Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.), was very poor and was regarded as one of the People of the Bench.  Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.) used to offer all his swalah behind the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), who was greatly distressed by Sayyidina Sa’d’s (r.a.) poverty. 

One day, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) promised him that if he got some money, he would give it to Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.).  Time passed but no money came to the Prophet (s.a.w.), who became even more distressed at Sayyidina Sa’d’s (r.a.) situation. 

It was at this time, that Jibril (a.s.) descended, bringing with him two darahim.  Jibril (a.s.) said to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), “Allah Says, ‘We are Aware of your distress in connection with Sa’d’s poverty.  If you want him to emerge from this state, give him these two darahim and ask him to engage himself in business.’” 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) took the two darahim and set out of the house for the zhuhr prayers when he found Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.) waiting for him near one of the rooms of the masjid.  Turning to Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.), the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) asked, “Could you engage yourself in business?” 

“By Allah (s.w.t.)!  I have no capital with which I can do business,” replied Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.). 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) handed him the two darahim and told him to start business with this capital.  Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.) took the money, and after offering the zhuhr and ‘aswr swalah set about to earn his livelihood. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Blessed Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.) in such a way that whatever he purchased for a darahim, he would sell it for double the amount.  Consequently, his financial state gradually improved.  This continued until he eventually purchased a shop near the masjid and began conducting his business from there.  As his business picked up, he began to become lax with his ‘ibadah, even to the extent that when Sayyidina Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi (r.a.) called the adzan, he would not get ready for the prayers.  Previously, he was ready well before adzan was called. 

When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) noticed Sayyidina Sa’d’s (r.a.) lateness for swalah, he said to him, “Sa’d, this world has made you so busy that it has even weaned you away from your swalah.” 

Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.) replied, “What can I do?  If I leave my wealth unattended, it will go to waste and I will end up in loss.  From one person, I have to collect the money for the goods sold, while from another I have to take possession of the goods purchased.” 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was disturbed at Sayyidina Sa’d’s (r.a.) involvement with his wealth and his negligence with respect to his ‘ibadah.  At that moment, Jibril (a.s.) descended again and said, “Allah (s.w.t.) Says, ‘We Possess knowledge of your distress.  Which of the two states do you prefer for Sa’d?’” 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) indicated that the previous state was beneficial for Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.).  Jibril (a.s.) agreed, “Yes, love for the world causes man to become heedless of the hereafter.  Take back the two darahim, which you had given to him previously.” 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) approached Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.) and asked him if he could return the two darahim that he had given to him.  “If you desire, I shall even give you two hundred darahim,” replied Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.). 

“No, just give me the two darahim, which you had taken from me.” said the Prophet (s.a.w.).  Sayyidina Sa’d (r.a.) handed the money to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and within a short time, his financial situation turned a full circle and before long he found himself in his previous state.  From this, we understand that our state is always most beneficial to us spiritually.  A change of fortune may bring us closer to the Fire.  The wealth of the world is merely glittering dust.