In the midst of the world’s hustle and bustle, There Are Only Three Things We Really Have: we are often driven out to hunt material possessions. Villas, luxury cars, and lots of savings seem to be a measure of happiness. But Islam teaches us to think about the true meaning of wealth. Are the treasures we accumulate during his life really ours?
“العبد يقول: مالي! أليس ماله إلا ثلاثًا: ما أكل فَفَنى، وما لبس فَبَلِي، وما تصدّق به فهو الذي ينتفع به، وما سوى ذلك فمُنفِقٌ عليه، ويُورّثُه لغيره.”
Meaning: “The slave says, ‘My wealth!’ Are not his treasures but three: that which he eats and it will disappear, that which he wears and it will wear out, that which he gives (in charity) which is actually the treasure he accumulates. Any other wealth will disappear and be given to those he leaves behind.” (HR Muslim)
This hadith invites us to look back at the treasures we have persecuted. Is it true that these treasures will accompany us forever? Let’s take a closer look at the meanings of the three treasures.
1. Treasures we eat: Incomplete gifts.
Every time we eat, we have his joy. It provides energy, strength and joy to your body. Over time, the food we eat, but digested, converted and disappeared.
“وَقُلْ لَهُمُ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ”
Meaning: “And say to them: “Do your deeds, and Allah and His Messenger and the believers will see your deeds, and you will be returned to the One Who knows the unseen and the manifest, and He will tell you what you have done.”” (QS. At-Taubah: 105)
Even though it is gone, food is not a wasted treasure. Allah SWT bestows food as a source of energy and enjoyment. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT reminds us to eat halal and good food.
“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِنْ ثَمَرَاتِ الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ”
Meaning: “O people! Eat of the lawful and wholesome food found on earth, and do not follow the steps of the devil. Indeed, the devil is a real enemy to you.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 168)
Food is a blessing from Allah, not just an inanimate object. Take care of its halalness and quality, as this will affect our health and quality of life.
2. Treasures we wear: Human gems that cover the veil.
Clothing, shoes and accessories are all treasures we wear. They protect the body, improve the appearance and provide comfort. But over time, these will wear down, shed tears and become obsolete.
“يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ ۚ ذَلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ”
Meaning: “O son of Adam, We have revealed to you a garment to cover your nakedness and a garment of adornment. And the garment of piety is the best. These are some of the signs of Allah’s power, that they may remember.” (QS. Al-A’raf: 26)
Islam teaches us to wear discreetly dressed and cover our aurat without any extravagance or boasting. Clothes are protection and not a means of procedure. It is even more important to protect your mind and intentions. Because beautiful clothes without respect are worthless before Allah SWT.
3. Treasures we give (sadaka): an eternal investment that revives the mind.
This is the most precious treasure that will never disappear! The alms we give to others in the form of money, food, time and energy are treasures that we will accumulate in the future.
“وَمَا أَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ”
Meaning: “And whatever you spend, it is for yourselves, and Allah never harms those who do good.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 272)
Allah SWT promises to lap our alms rewards! All the good things we give will be saved in the future. Really the best investment of my life!
“مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنْبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنْبُلَةٍ مِائَةُ حََبٍَ ۗ وَالَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ ۗ وَالَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ”
Meaning: “The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is like a grain of seed that grows seven ears; in each ear a hundred seeds. Allah multiplies the reward for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Wide (in His bounty) and All-Knowing.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 261)
Sadaqah is a treasure that brings us closer to Allah SWT, enlivens the heart, and spreads goodness in the world.
Worldly Treasure: A Trust that Will Be Accounted for
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“لاَ يَزُولُ قَدَمَا عَبْدٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ أَرْبَعٍ: عَنْ عُمُرِهِ فِيمَا أَفْنَاهُ، وَعَنْ جَسَدِهِ فِيمَا أَبْلَاهُ، وَعَنْ مَالِهِ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَهُ وَفِيمَا أَنْفَقَهُ، وَعَنْ عِلْمِهِ مَاذَا عَمِلَ فِيهِ.”
Meaning: “The feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: about his life, what he spent it on; about his knowledge, what he practiced; about his wealth, where he got it from and what he spent it on; and about his body, what he used it for.” (HR. Tirmidhi)
Secular wealth is trust from Allah SWT. We must use it carefully for the benefit of ourselves and others. Don’t make secular possessions a barrier to bringing them closer to Allah SWT.
The real treasure is not the material possessions we gather, but the good deeds and alms we give. Let’s consider the meaning of treasures in our lives. We must not be engrossed in the sparkles of the world as true treasures bring us closer to the joy of Allah’s sweat.
True Treasure Sadaqah Good deeds Zakat
