Reasons why wealth decreases
QUESTION:
If we are experiencing repeated losses in our wealth, is this a sign of Haraam income? Are there any other probable causes for this?
ANSWER:
One could suffer loss of wealth due to several reasons. A person will only attain closeness to Allah Ta’ala when the heart is free of love of Dunya and material things. To cleanse the heart from the love of Dunya, one experiences financial loss and difficulties at times. This leads a person to turn to Allah Ta’ala and become humbler than before. Without one realizing, the heart is being cleansed in the process from the love of Dunya, and one’s connection with Allah Ta’ala is being strengthened.
Secondly, if one disobeys Allah Ta’ala and commits sins, then the sustenance of a person is decreased.
عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ مَوْلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، رَفَعَهُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: ” لَا يَرُدُّ الْقَدَرَ إِلَّا الدُّعَاءُ، وَلَا يَزِيدُ فِي الْعُمُرِ إِلَّا الْبِرُّ، وَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيُحْرَمُ الرِّزْقَ بِالذَّنْبِ يُصِيبُهُ ” (مسند احمد)
Thirdly, one suffers loss of wealth if one’s Zakaat is not discharged correctly, as discharging Zakaat correctly is a means of protecting one’s wealth as understood from the narration quoted below.
عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: حَصِّنُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بالزَّكاةِ، وَدَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ، وَاسْتَقْبِلُوا أَمْوَاجَ الْبَلَاءِ بِالدُّعَاءِ )شعب الإيمان #3279(
Abu Umamah Radiallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Protect your wealth through Zakaat, treat your sick ones through Sadaqah and approach the waves of calamity through Dua.”
Fourthly, breaking family ties is a means of loss of wealth.
مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُبْسَطَ لَه فِي رِزْقِهِ وَأَنْ يُنْسَأَ لَهُ فِي أَثَرِهِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ (بخاري/مسلم)
If any of these matters are not in order, then seek forgiveness and rectify them immediately so that you may enjoy abundance of blessings in your wealth.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: – 14 Jumadal Ula 1445 / 28 November 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb