Although there is no limit to being rich in Islam, there are warnings about ways to get rich and what to pay attention to when accumulating capital.
Islam has not set a limit for people to acquire property. However, according to the understanding of Islamic economics, two conditions were put for Muslims within this condition. The first is that Muslims do not forget that what they have is a trust given to them. As a matter of fact, since man is a vicegerent of Allah on earth (the representative of Allah on earth), he has the right to own property only as a trustee. The second condition is that the goods entrusted to him should be spent as the entrusted person – Allah – wishes. In other words, while a Muslim spends his wealth; It should not ignore the moral values of Islam, especially the halal and haram provisions, issues such as brotherhood, social and economic justice. In addition, his possessions and property must be earned according to Islamic criteria. We can list these dimensions as follows:
- Integrity in trading must be maintained in all cases.[1]
- It is obligatory to pay the employee his/her right.[2]
- The customer should not be misled.[3]
- Embedding someone else’s property is treason and theft.[4]
- For the sake of justice, in case of borrowing, the debt must be written down and there must be witnesses.[5]
- It is good that the debt meets a need and is paid on time. However, respite should be given to the debts of those in distress.[6]
- A person deserves what he has worked for.[7] Earnings should not be increased by Theft/Corruption.[8]
- Bribery should not be used to settle matters quickly.[9]
- Profit should not be made by exploiting religious feelings.[10]
- Measuring and weighing should not be cheated.[11]
- Gambling/speculation should be avoided.[12]
- Interest should not be approached.[13]
- Exclusivity/stocking, which is used to raise prices, should be avoided.[14]
In Islam, those who only think about hoarding goods and lazily holding their wealth in their hands are also not well supported. In the Quran these people are frightened by the verse “(Hell) calls to itself those who gathered and hoarded ˹wealth˺.[15] Let’s add that it is a disgraceful behavior to be attached to wealth and property with an excessive fondness in Islam.[16]
In Islam, there are many verses and hadiths that encourage working and earning with the intention of spending, giving zakat, giving alms, and not being dependent on others. Some of these are those:
“And do not crave what Allah has given some of you over others. Men will be rewarded according to their deeds and women ˹equally˺ according to theirs. Rather, ask Allah for His bounties. Surely Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.”[17]
“He best (most pure) food a man consumes is that which he has earned himself.” [18]
“O Allah! I seek refuge with You from helplessness, laziness, cowardice and feeble old age.” [19]
[1] An-Nisa, 29; Al-Baqarah,168
[2] Ash-Shu’ara,183
[3] Ash-Shu’ara,181- 183
[4] Al-Baqarah, 60
[5] Al-Baqarah, 282
[6] Al-Baqarah, 280
[7] An-Najm, 39
[8] Al-Ma’idah,38-39; An-Nisa, 29
[9] Al-Baqarah, 188
[10] At-Tawbah, 34
[11] Al-Mutaffifin, 1-6
[12] Al-Ma’idah, 90-91
[13] Al-Baqarah, 275
[14] At-Tawbah, 35
[15] Al-Ma’arij, 18
[16] At-Tawbah,24
[17] An-Nisa, 32
[18] Abu-Dawud, Wages (Kitab Al-Ijarah),77
[19] Muslim, Book of Al-Dhikir