Question:
Assalamu Alaykum,
Is it not right to work for our family’s prosperity while in dunya. But we tend to also feel guilty when one sees so much poverty around as if it is our fault. But one can try to improve his own conditions but one cannot do that for the whole tribe or village or town.
Also the Prophets, Imams and Awliya all lived a simple & austere lives with no belongings or houses of their own etc. But we are normal people, not saints, so are we required to also live like them when we have different responsibilities in live & are living in a different world & times.
Is it not better to strive for both Dunya & Aakhira and keep a healthy balance in life and share & give to those who are in need. .
* Can I humbly request Shaykh Hisham to please reply.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
Live your life, as Allah (swt) loves those who are generous. The Prophet (s) said, “ghainyan shakir afdal min faqir abid”, the rich man who is grateful and generous is preferred by Allah (swt),not the one who is staying in the mosque helping no one, so help whom you can. Not necessarily your whole village, but those poor you know you may help.
Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani
