Wealth is one of the greatest tests a human being can face. To some, it is a blessing that brings comfort, opportunity, and the chance to give for the sake of Allah. To others, it becomes a burden, a source of pride, greed, and heedlessness of the Akhirah. Islam does not condemn wealth itself; rather, it addresses how wealth is earned, how it is spent, and how it shapes the heart of the believer.
WEALTH IS A TEST FROM ALLAH
Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:
“Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.”
(Qur’an 64:15)
Just as poverty is a test, so is prosperity. Wealth is not simply a measure of success — it is a responsibility. Every coin earned, every possession owned, and every luxury enjoyed will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The feet of the son of Adam shall not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about… his wealth and how he earned it, and how he spent it.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)
This makes clear that wealth is not an automatic blessing, but a trust (amanah) that must be handled with care.
WHEN WEALTH IS A BLESSING
Wealth becomes a blessing when it is earned lawfully, with honesty and integrity, and when it is spent in ways that please Allah.
Charity: Wealth allows a believer to feed the hungry, support the orphan, and build houses of worship.
Zakah: Purifying wealth through obligatory giving fulfills a command of Allah and protects society from inequality.
Service: Wealth can fund education, healthcare, and projects that bring benefit to the Ummah.
The Prophet ﷺ praised those who use their wealth wisely:
“This wealth is green and sweet. Blessed is the wealth of a Muslim from which he gives to the poor, the orphan, and the traveler.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
In this case, wealth is not only a blessing for the owner but a source of ongoing reward that outlives them.
WHEN WEALTH BECOMES A BURDEN
Wealth turns into a burden when it hardens the heart, fuels arrogance, or distracts from the remembrance of Allah. Some of the dangers include:
Pride and arrogance: Forgetting that wealth is from Allah, not from one’s own brilliance or effort.
Neglecting zakah and charity: Hoarding wealth instead of fulfilling its due rights.
Love of dunya: When the desire for more wealth outweighs concern for Akhirah.
Corruption: Earning through haram means such as interest, fraud, or exploitation.
The Qur’an warns:
“Do not let your wealth and your children distract you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that — then it is they who are the losers.”
(Qur’an 63:9)
Wealth that becomes a distraction or a source of sin weighs heavily on the Day of Judgment, turning into regret instead of reward.
THE BALANCE: USING WEALTH WITH TAQWA
Islam does not ask us to abandon wealth, but to master it. The believer understands that money is a tool, not a master. The key is to keep wealth in the hand, not in the heart.
Practical ways to keep wealth as a blessing include:
Earning only through halal means.
Paying zakah faithfully and giving voluntary charity regularly.
Living simply, without extravagance or showing off.
Remembering the poor and using wealth to uplift others.
Frequently making istighfar, knowing that Allah is the true Provider.
CONCLUSION
Wealth is neither inherently good nor inherently bad it is a test. In the hands of the grateful and God-conscious, it becomes a blessing that brings immense reward. In the hands of the arrogant and heedless, it becomes a burden that leads to regret.
The true believer asks: “Is my wealth drawing me closer to Allah, or further away from Him?”
If wealth is used to serve others and obey Allah, it becomes a means to Jannah. But if it blinds the heart and fuels pride, it becomes a chain that drags one down. The choice between blessing or burden lies in how we carry the trust Allah has given us.
