10 THINGS THAT BRING ABOUT POVERTY ACCORDING TO AL-ISLĀM


In principle, poverty does not only refer to inadequate provision. It also refers to lack of satisfaction in the midst of provisions, lack of blessings in provision or bankruptcy in the Hereafter. One may be termed as poor if he lacks at least one of these. This post contains ten things that can cause this poverty.

1. Zinā

Adultery causes three things on earth: (a) Takes away glamor (b) Brings persistent poverty (c) Brings about early death. [Masāwi-ul Akhlāq, 482]

2. Severing Family Ties

Ties with relatives & kinsmen is highly protected in Islām & cutting it without a valid reason may cause and short life and poverty [Riyādh as Sālihīn, 319].

3. Cheating in Measurement

Employing means that are fraudulent in measurement of goods in a market place brings nothing but more poverty & prevalence of tyrant leaders [Ibn Majah 4019]. If you want a breakthrough in your business & society, be just & fair in measurement. 

4. Refusal to Pay Zakāt

Zakāt is a right of the poor. Whoever has above $3,913 for a whole year may give 1 out of 40 parts of this in charity. Zakāt is also applicable to ornaments, crops & livestock). Refusal to pay this due may cause widespread poverty [Ibn Majah 4019].

5. Breaking Covenant with Allāh () & His Messenger ()

Turning your back on your convenant in favor of views which are prejudicing & inconsistent for whatever reasons will only lead to loss of Valor & deprivation of rights [Ibn Majah 4019].

6. Ribā

Giving or taking interests is Haram. Allāh () destroys the earnings from usury [Q2:276]. Engaging in it will only make you poorer, either by loss of property, lack of blessings in it or lack of satisfaction.

7. Lying in Business

Business is based on trust. Telling lies in business is mixing Haram with Halal and persistence in such takes away blessings from one's earnings [Mishkat al-Masabih 2802].

8. Extravagance & Stinginess

Ibn Abbas (r) opines that all wealth is replenished by Allāh () except those spent in extravagance or the one kept it due to extreme stinginess [Adabul Mufrad 443].

9. Bearing False Oaths

Swearing over a lie is an attitude that may cause persistent poverty, may Allāh () save us [Musnad al-Bazzār 1034].

10. Begging as a Profession

Whoever takes begging as a means of increasing his personal wealth will only have more reasons to beg [Musnad al-Bazzār 1032].

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