4 Lessons in Rizq from The Sahaba

Muslims have the wrong idea about wealth. So many of us believe that more wealth = less piety, That focusing on the Akhira means ignoring this Dunya… but that could not be further from the truth.

Islam does not demand us to renounce the dunya and not seek our share of it. A true Muslim works with his hands whilst putting his trust in Allah.

Many of the Sahaba of our Prophet ﷺ were wealthy individuals, and by looking into their lives, you can learn some incredible lessons on rizq.

Here are 4 powerful stories from the lives of the Sahaba and what they can teach us about rizq.

1. AbdurRahman ibn Awf

He was from the Muhajireen, he was a veteran of countless battles alongside the Prophet ﷺ , he was from the famous 10 promised Paradise, and he was among the wealthiest of the Sahaba, both before and after the Hijra.

But there was a time where AbdurRahman ibn Awf had nothing to his name.

When he left Makkah for Madinah after 13 long years of persecution, he was forced to abandon all his fortunes, and arrive in the budding new city with nothing but the clothes on his back.

The Prophet ﷺ had assigned pairings between the Muhajirun of Makkah and the Ansar (helpers) in Madinah to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between the Muslims.

AbdurRahman (R.A) was linked with the Ansari companion Sa’ad ibn ar-Rabi’ah, an affluent and generous figure in Madinah.

Sa’ad was committed to supporting his new brother with half of everything he had, to the extent that he said:

“My brother! Among the people of Madinah I have the most wealth. I have two orchards and I

have two wives. See which of the two orchards you like and I shall vacate it for you and which

of my two wives is pleasing to you and I will divorce her for you.”

AbdurRahman was taken aback by Sa’ad’s generosity, but politely declined, saying:

“May Allah bless you in your family and your wealth. But instead, can you please direct me to the marketplace?”

AbdurRahman (R.A) began working in the market, studying the local mercantile practices, and began trading with what little he could earn, growing and accumulating his wealth.

By the time the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he found AbdurRahman dressed in fine clothing, perfumed, and newly wed.

All in just several months of hard work!

And his fortunes continued, until he was once again one of the wealthiest companions in Madinah. 

It was said that at a point he had a caravan of camels so large that whenever they returned from a journey, the people believed the city was being invaded!

The lesson in his story:

While there is no shame in taking help from others, there is barakah in being independent and assertive.

 

2. Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqas

 

There is no rizq like an accepted Du’a, and one companion of the Prophet ﷺ known to be blessed abundantly in his supplication was Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqas (R.A)

 

Another great companion from the 10 promised paradise, he was one for who the ayat of the Quran regarding goodness to parents were revealed.

He is the one about whom the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Let my parents be sacrificed for you!”

However big or small, the people noticed how frequently Sa’ad’s supplications were answered almost immediately.

On one occasion during the khilafa of ‘Ali (R.A), it is said that a man in Iraq was cursing the Khalifah, and when Sa’ad (R.A) heard of this, he warned the man to stop.

When he refused to heed the warning, Sa’ad prayed two rak’at of Salah and made Du’a cursing that man, after which a beast entered the city and trampled on him.

Needless to say, being on the bad side of Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqas was not a place you wanted to be!

But what made his Du’a so special?

Many scholars will note that one outstanding quality of Sa’ad (R.A) was incredibly strict in what he consumed.

“I do not put anything in my mouth except that I know where it came from; I purchased it, and I

know its source.”

 

It is said this level of stringency upon seeking only that which is halal and tayyib aided his Du’a.

As Abu Hurayra (R.A) reported, the Prophet ﷺ said:

 

“Allah is pure and accepts only that which is pure. And verily Allah has commanded the believers to do that which He has commanded the Messengers. So the Almighty has said: ‘O Messengers! Eat of the tayyibat (pure things), and perform righteous deeds’ and Allah has said: ‘O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you’.”

 

Then he ﷺ  mentioned a man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty, and who spreads out his hands to the sky saying, “O Lord! O Lord!” while his food is haram, his drink is haram, his clothing is haram, and he has been nourished with haram, so how can he be answered?

[Sahih Muslim]

 

The lesson in his story:

 

If you want barakah in your rizq and for your du’a to be accepted, be cautious with how you earn your wealth and how you spend it.

 

3. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan

 

The third Khalifa in Islam.

 

A son-in-law of the Prophet ﷺ .

 

A man known for his devotion the Qur’an and immense modesty, to the extent that even the angels were shy in his presence!

 

Some may not be aware, however, that Uthman (R.A) was also among the wealthy elite of the Arabs before and after accepting Islam.

 

He was also known for his incredible philanthropy throughout his life, and his contribution is being witnessed to this day!

 

During the time of the Prophet ﷺ , there was a severe drought affecting the city of Madinah.

 

Water was already a scarce resource in the harsh climate, and at a time where it was needed most, one of the only sources available in the city was a well owned by a Jewish man who would sell the water at an extortionate price.

 

Uthman (R.A) purchased that well for around 20,000 dirhams, and made it a waqf (public charitable trust) so that the water would be free for the whole community to benefit from.

 

That well, known as Bir Rumah, would be used not only for day-to-day purposes like drinking and cleaning, but also watering entire fields of crops for local farmers.

 

Over time, the area around the well developed into a plantation which became a lifeline for the Muslim economy in Madinah, and the wealth generated from its crops would be reinvested in the community for generations to come.

 

Believe it or not, that waqf established from a single well is still active to this day!

 

The wealth generated from the waqf of Uthman (R.A) goes into an account under his name, which is overseen by the Saudi Ministry of Endowments, and continues to be used to support charitable projects.

 

The lesson in his story:

 

When you give for the sake of Allah, it will continue to grow, and the benefit will always return to you, whether you see it or not.

4. Abu Bakr as-Sidiq 

The best of men to walk this earth after the prophets of Allah.

The closest companion to the Messenger ﷺ.

The man who will accompany him ﷺ through the gates of Paradise…

And another wealthy and successful merchant in his time.

 

Countless stories can be recounted to illustrate the many virtues of Abu Bakr (R.A), but here is one demonstrating his attitude to wealth:

In an authentic narration in Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A) mentions the Prophet ﷺ ordering the companions to give in charity.

Umar narrates:

“I said to myself that today I will outdo Abu Bakr, if ever there were a day to outdo him.”

So he brought half of all his wealth to the Prophet ﷺ 

And when he ﷺ asked, “What have you left for your family?”

Umar responded: “The same amount.”

Then, Abu Bakr (R.A) arrived, bringing his entire wealth as charity.

When the Prophet ﷺ asked him: “O Abu Bakr, what have you left for your family?”

Abu Bakr responded: “Allah and His messenger.”

It was then that Umar (R.A) said: “By Allah, I will never do better than Abu Bakr.”

Now, did Abu Bakr put his family into poverty by doing this? No, he (R.A) was known for working diligently in the marketplace.

In fact, in another instance, shortly after becoming the first Khalifa, Abu Bakr was seen going to the market to work on his business, and it was Umar who would urge him to give his full attention to his new role.

Earning back his wealth was not a concern.

But this story shows just what that wealth actually meant to him.

He did not fear poverty, he did not have any deep attachment to that wealth.

He was ready to give it up for the sake of Islam, and had full trust in Allah.

That is what our attitude to wealth should be, as Ibn al-Qayyim famously said:

 

“When there is money in your hand but not in your heart, it cannot harm you; even if it is alot, and when it is in your heart, it will harm you even if there is none in your hands.”

 

[Madarij as-Salikin]

 

The lesson in his story:

Keep wealth in your hands, but never let it enter your heart