Wealth Of The Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum

QUESTION:

A person made a comment after listening to the biography of Hadrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf Radiallahu Anhu that, “The Sahabah Radiallahu Anhum had a desire to earn wealth — otherwise, why would Hadrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf and others Radiallahu Anhum have accumulated so much? If he only did business to fulfil a need, then why did he gather so much wealth?”

Please advise with regards to the above-mentioned opinion.

ANSWER:

From the outset, it should be borne in mind that every Sahaabi Radiallahu Anhu has been endorsed with the tile of ‘Radiallahu Anhu’ (Allah is pleased with him). As such, the greatest Wali of any time cannot reach the rank of the lowest Sahaabi. Just like how we, as humans, have needs such as eating, drinking, earning a Halaal income, looking after their families etc., Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum also had these needs. Hence, they would also trade and earn. As such, the illustrious Sahaabi, Abdur Rahman bin Auf Radiallahu Anhu would also trade, and Allah Ta’ala had blessed him with an abundance of wealth which he also spent generously in the path of Allah Ta’ala. For example, in the expedition of Tabuk, he spent 200 Uqiyah of silver (approximately 8000 silver coins). This clearly indicates towards his generosity and disinterest in amassing wealth.

Furthermore, amassing wealth was never their goal in life, nor would they hanker after this transitory wealth. It is for this reason that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam with confidence mentioned:

إن أصحابي بمنزلة النُّجُوم في السَّمَاء فَأَيُّمَا أَخَذْتُم به اهتديتم (المدخل #152)

“Indeed, my Companions are like the stars, whichever of them you follow you will be rightly guided.”

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 03 Safar 1447 / 29 July 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally