Wealth or mal (singular) or amwal (plural) is among the central concepts in the Qur’an. The Qur’an provides thorough insights and information on wealth and how it should be perceived in the life of human being. In general, the Qur’an describes wealth and human life in two ways: (1) the nature of wealth and its functions in human life and (2) the normative rulings of wealth and the expected human attitude towards wealth.
Islam views wealth as something positive and good. Human being is not only granted authority over wealth (mustakhlafin) but is invited to enjoy and utilize wealth for his/her benefits and wellbeing. The word khayr, which means good, is used in the Qur’an to describe wealth. For example in al-Baqarah 272-273, Allah (SWT) says:
وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن خَيْرٍ فَلِأَنفُسِكُمْ وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ
Whatever of good (khayr) you give, benefits your own soul and you shall only do so seeking the “Face” of Allah. Whatever good (khayr) you give, shall be rendered back to you, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.
Wealth is good because it is God’s creation that is endowed to human being from His numerous bounties (fadl Allah) for the benefits and wellbeing of mankind during their life in this world. This is why Allah (SWT) says:
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may prosper (al-Jumu’ah: 10).
Since wealth is naturally good, as shown in the above verses, wealth acquisition or working to acquire wealth is allowed and in fact, it is highly praised and considered as good deed (al-‘amal al-salih) that is deserving of rewards (al-Nahl: 97).
Therefore, in Islam, business and commercial activities are viewed positively as mechanisms to fulfil the various needs of human being in a legitimate way and also to circulate wealth among all the sections of the society. This is done so that it is not concentrated in the hands of a few but rather it goes into all sectors of the economy that would benefit human wellbeing.
In various places, the Qur’an invites human beings to find and explore God’s bounties on earth as something good for them in their life which reflects God’s mercy and blessing on mankind (Qur’an, 2: 105; 2: 198; 45: 12; 59: 8; and 62: 10).
Such description of the concept and nature of wealth in the Qur’an indicates that, ontologically, human beings (as the creation) have a strong connection with God (as the Creator) through the wealth endowed. Mankind are in need of wealth for their development and sustainability and wealth endowment granted to human being is a reflection and manifestation of God’s mercy and blessing upon them.
