Mu` meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah`s Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

dear sir

assalamo alaikum

there is no upper or lower cast in islam, no distinguish between rich and poor...... then how come some muslims travel by first class or business class instead of economic class.  why do they waste money instead they can help with that money for some poor needy muslims.  can you please answer.

a sister

 

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Answer:

Waste money travel first class

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol,  no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Indeed,  Islam propagates a Way of Life where there is absolutely no caste system,  nor a distinction in the religion of the rich or poor!    The criteria for honor in the sight of Allah is not caste,  nor wealth,  nor color,  nor race,  nor nationality,  etc.;  but it is ‘piety’ or ‘God-consciousness’.   The one who is most pious,  is the one who is the most honorable in the sight of Allah Subhanah.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Chapter 49 Surah Hujurat verse 13:

O mankind, We created you from one man and one woman, and then divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another.  Indeed,  the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah,  is he who is the most pious of you.   Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

 

To whomever Allah Wills,  He gives of His bounty in abundance;  and to whomsoever Allah Wills,  he gives in limited measures!    Thus,  the distribution of Allah’s Bounty is at the Will and Discretion of Allah Subhanah Alone.    The one who has been given abundant resources by Allah Subhanah is required to understand his responsibility,  not waste it on useless things,  but should rather spend of the bounty given to him by Allah Subhanah,    to earn the pleasure and good will of Allah Subhanah.    

 

But Islam does not guide the people who have been blessed with abundant bounty from Allah Subhanah,  not to eat good food,  or to wear good clothes,  or to travel in good condition, etc.;  provided he is grateful to Allah,  and gives the rights due to the poor and needy among his fellow human beings.    There is no harm if a believer travels first class,  if he can afford it;   provided he fulfills the rights of the poor and needy on him.   

 

The Messenger of Allah (saws) himself ate good food when made available to him;   wore good clothes when available to him;   and traveled on a good horse when available to him.     But when it was not available,  he ate meager food,  wore simple clothes,  and used to travel on a normal donkey or a mule!    At all times he was grateful to Allah Subhanah for his favors upon him.

 

Islam does not consider it a virtue that a person on whom Allah has blessed with His Bounty live in a thatched hut when he can afford a house,  or wear old or torn clothes when he can afford decent clothes,  or travel in discomfort when he can afford to travel comfortably;  provided the person is grateful to Allah and spends of his wealth for the Pleasure of His Bounteous Lord.

 

Allah Subhanah dislikes those who are at the two extremes of spending,  the niggardly and the spendthrift!   Allah has rather guided the believers to use the ‘middle-path’,  whereby one may spend of his wealth in a sensible manner,  without wasting it.  

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 25 Surah Al Furqaan verse 67:

(The true servants of the Merciful are) those who when they spend,  are not extravagant and not niggardly,  but hold a just (balance) between those (extremes).

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 37:

(Nor) those who are niggardly,  or enjoin niggardliness on others,  or hide the bounties which Allah hath bestowed on them;  for We have prepared for those who resist faith,  a punishment that steeps them in contempt.

 

Thus,  if a rich person,  who has been bestowed by Allah with abundant bounty;  and he is grateful to Allah Subhanah and spends freely in Allah’s Cause,  and also spends on himself and his family in due proportion…there is no sin upon him.

 

But if the rich person is ungrateful to Allah Subhanah,  and  niggardly spends in the Cause of Allah;  but rather hoards his wealth,  or uses his wealth to spend only on his comfort and style;  then he will definitely be in sin.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan