Without a doubt, money is nearly everything nowadays. We can claim that money controls the world. Sad but true.

If you take a look into what we all do for money. We go to work, most people wake up early in the morning or stay up late at night, spend minimal time with family and have to smile in the boss’s face all for that paycheck at the end of the month. Then, depending on how much your paycheck is, you get to do whatever it is you wanted.

Now there are others who say that no money is not as important as it seems. They would rather have the essentials of life.

Let’s make one thing clear. Yes, money is a very very very important thing in our life. And happiness is also a very very very important thing in our life as well. But does one depend on the other? And which one should you prioritize?

What if, you know, Allah loves you and gives you both? Or what if, God forbid, you don’t have neither?

Let’s say you know you’re rich and really living up to the phrase, living life to the fullest and all, but does all of that automatically make you happy? And should money be everything that’s on your mind and at the top of your list?

For some, money buys and means everything and for others, it doesn’t.
 

They argue that:
"With money you can buy a house but not a home;

With money you can buy a bed but not sleep;

With money you can buy a book but not knowledge;

With money you can buy a hospital but not health;

With money you can buy a position but not respect;

With money you can buy blood but not life;

With money you can buy pleasure but not love.”
 

That’s true actually. Love can’t be bought, it is felt. Mutually. 
 

I found this interesting article by Trent Hamm from the simpledollar.com and I thought I’d share it with you guys tonight.

He lists several things that he found are worthier than money. They are not in order of preference.

First, we have wisdom. The one big thing that differentiates us and animals. Morality. Intellect. Hey as they say, smart is the new sexy.

Second, friendship. We all have at least a couple of friends that have gotten our backs during our hard times and those who we wouldn’t sell for millions. Now, me, I’d sell all of ya for a million. Haha no just kidding, I love you guys.

Third, spirituality. According to Hamm, reading, contemplation, meditation, and prayer can bring an incredible sense of calm, peace, and even joy that can be difficult to find in other avenues – and impossible to find with money.

Fourth, and this is in my opinion is the most crucial, is health, both physical and mental health. Looking back to the story about the rich guy, you’d envy him but when you look at his health status, the tables are turned and he starts envying you for your healthy life.

What does Islam say about money?

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

Money as we said is very important to a person’s life, however we must not use it in the way of Saitan, which is the forbidden way. We are responsible for the money we earn in the world and what we do with it.

Islam does not forbid collecting money in the halal way, you can be as rich as Bill Gates, inshallah, provided you are paying Khoms every year and have earned that money in a halal way.

But for those who all they think about is money Allah says:

“Woe to every scorner and mocker

Who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it.

He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal.

No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.

And what can make you know what is the Crusher?

It is the fire of Allah, [eternally] fueled,” (104:1-6)

Imam Ali says: Too much money corrupts the hearts and creates sins.

All in all, my dear viewers, money brings happiness to some extent but not to 100%.

If it was 100% then it woulda brought happiness to the killers of Imam Hussein, when they were promised a lot of money by Ibn Ziyad and Yazid.

Then, Ibn Ziyad announced a public meeting in the main Masjid of Kufah and made a speech. He said, “O people! You know the clan of Abi Sufyan and you know how they have served you, and you know this leader of the faithful Yazid. You know how helpful he is to his people. He serves them and gives them what they need; all of the roads are safe under his leadership as they were during his father’s rule. His son, Yazid, honors people. He makes them rich! He has increased your salaries by a hundred times, and he has ordered me to increase them even more if you go to fight his enemy Hussain. Listen to him and obey him.”

He immediately distributed money among the soldiers.