The Real wealth 

Most people neglect and ruin their health, relationships, friendships, and children by chasing their careers, money, power, and wealth, and before they even realize it, it’s too late. They lose their health to earn money, and now they wanna use their money to buy health…..which is so ironic!

This is even more commonly seen in the United States with our desi community (migrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc) and more so often in us Muslims. People migrate from these subcontinent countries to make it big in America and to live their American dream, for which they grind at a young age by ignoring their health to generate dollars. Then, suddenly, reality hits them hard with their depleted health conditions, where dollars become useless. 

I was shocked to see and meet people who made it big in America but who were empty from the inside. They built such huge houses, but only two people lived in them. Kids are on their own, preferring to stay in different cities and hardly coming to visit their parents in the name of career and independence. 

I always believe that ALLAH tests you by giving and taking away from you. How you conduct yourself in each situation is what builds character in the eyes of the world and of ALLAH swt. 

This reminds me of a story my mother told me; there lived a young couple in a village to whom ALLAH asked if I grant you wealth, then would you want it now or in your old age? You can only choose one. 

The man was wise and asked ALLAH swt to grant him wealth now during his young age, and so was fulfilled. The young couple then moved to a bigger city from the village with their wealth. Everyone in the town said he was a fool not to ask for wealth in his old age, which is when you need it the most. Years went by, and the couple was old now, but their wealth only multiplied, and they were even more decadent. An older man from that village who knew them moved to the city only to see them flushing was astonished to see. He asked how you still have your wealth and even more now. The man smiled and answered humbly. First, I paid my Zakat on time and more than I was supposed to. I used all the wealth that ALLAH gave me for good causes such as helping my immediate relatives, helping my neighbors, helping my neighborhood, the city, and wherever I could. I also used my wealth to create a business. Since ALLAH granted me so much wealth, I never stopped praying and thanking him. I prayed even more and thanked him all the more. I prayed that ALLAH use my pocket to help the needy and that I become the “source” of help to people. 

And by saying “source” doesn’t always mean “money.” You can help people in many ways, such as giving good advice, resolving a conflict, and providing them with knowledge.

Wealth doesn’t pour down from the sky whenever a needy person asks for help from ALLAH, right? ALLAH makes it easy by arranging a source from somewhere in the world. I always prayed that I would become that source to help that needy person. 

Since ALLAH granted me wealth, I ate the best foods and exercised to take care of my health. I owned and moved in the best modes of transportation. I struck a balance, and that’s how ALLAH loved me so much that he continued to shower his blessings upon me even in my old age, simple!! 

This story stayed with me forever. Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, said, when ALLAH gives you wealth, make sure you have the best of vehicles, wear the best of clothes, make sure you smell good by wearing the best of fragrances and eat well; ALLAH loves all this. This is simply because if your appearance is of a miserable person despite wealth, people in need will hesitate to come to you to seek help. Therefore, it’s essential to conduct yourself appropriately and remain humble. Always treat the needy with respect and kindness because the needy person was sent to you by ALLAH. You have to consider yourself lucky for helping him rather than him to have received help from you. 

However, there is a very thin line between being humble and arrogant in such situations, and you need to “Strike a balance.” 

Your real wealth is your health, your kids, your parents, a loyal and righteous spouse, peace and happiness in your house, and most of all, your good deeds. However, you can only take back your good deeds once you are dead. 

Why do people think that happiness is equal to a dollar amount or that success means a certain dollar amount? Ask people sitting in those big and expensive empty houses what will make them happy at this age. Would it be a dollar amount or that house full of kids and grandkids? 

Therefore, my brothers and sisters “Strike a Balance”