Poverty That Leads to Disbelief
One of the most difficult trials people face in this worldly life is financial hardship (poverty). The prophetic tradition, “Poverty almost leads to disbelief,” strongly indicates how a servant’s impatience and objection to fate when facing scarcity of sustenance can quickly lead them to polytheism and disbelief. For a servant experiencing difficulties with provision begins to question the absolute justice and wisdom of Allah when they abandon patience and start saying, “Why is this happening to me?” They object to the Almighty and doubt His promise, falling into disbelief. They die in misguidance, displeased with their Lord and denying His verses.
Patience and Gratitude Transforming Poverty into Wealth
However, for a believer who is people of faith, hardship is not a ruin but a process of spiritual purification (expiation). The servant believes in Allah, submits to Him in all matters, believes that He will make provision easy, and that every event that befalls them is not due to their error, and that every error does not lead to calamity. What happens to him does not lead him astray, nor does what leads him astray happen to him. For the believer who carries this awareness, poverty is not disbelief but a means of nearness (to Allah). He tests him with calamities and poverty; then supplication and entreaty begin. As long as these two continue in him, the prophetic tradition mentioned above becomes a reality.
True Wealth and the Chosen Company
The servant who overcomes the trial of poverty without rebellion is spiritually the richest person on earth. May we seek refuge in Allah from this forgotten poverty, which even the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- sought refuge in Allah from. The second type of person is one whom Allah –the Exalted and Majestic– has chosen (istifa) and preferred (ictiba). He makes them among His select servants, friends, and confidants. The patient poor are present in the assembly of Ar-Rahman on the Day of Resurrection. They have been purified from polytheism, reliance on others, and dependence on creation with their hearts in this world, and with their bodies in the Hereafter. This immense trust transforms poverty into the greatest crown of eternal wealth.