Don't Look Down on the Poor
In Islam, all people are equal before Allah SWT. What differentiates people is the level of piety, and even that is known only to Allah Ta’ala, who knows the truth of each heart. The amount of wealth a person possesses cannot be used to measure their nobility. There are many traditions that indicate the high standing of the poor. Rasulullah SAW is reported by Harits bin Wahb as saying: ‘Would you like me to tell you who the people of Paradise are? They are those who are weak and considered weak by others, but if they swear by the name of Allah, Allah will surely fulfil what they swear.’ And who are the people of Hell? They are those who are hard, stingy, and fond of amassing wealth and being arrogant (HR Bukhari-Muslim).
One interpretation of this hadith is that the term ‘the weak’ refers to the poor. Another interpretation says that ‘the weak’ are those who are humble and have soft hearts.
The next hadith is even more explicit in explaining the fate of those who are poor in this world but fortunate in the hereafter. From Abu Hurairah, Rasulullah SAW said: ‘The believers who are poor will enter Paradise before the rich, by about half a day, a measure comparable to five hundred years’ (HR Ibnu Majah and Tirmidzi).
Another sahih hadith relates that, on one occasion, Sa’ad thought that he possessed worldly superiority over his companions. Yet the Prophet warned: ‘You only receive help and sustenance because of the presence of the weak among you’ (HR Bukhari).
Another narration records the Prophet’s words: ‘Indeed, Allah helps this community because of the weak among them, by their prayers, their ritual prayers, and their sincerity’ (HR an-Nasai, according to Sheikh al-Albani this hadith is authentic).
The message is that the poor and the weak can have a close relationship with Allah SWT. The prayers they offer spring from a sincere heart, free from worldly fetters. Therefore, do not treat their prayers with contempt.
Finally, poverty does not mean a loss of dignity. The Prophet SAW said: ‘To be poor does not mean one who refuses a morsel or two; rather, the poor are those who lack sufficiency, and yet they are ashamed or do not insist in asking.’
Surah al-Mudatsir was revealed at the beginning of the mission, explaining that Islam forbids any behaviour that fosters poverty, such as failing to assist the needy and leaving them in destitution.
As depicted in Surah al-Mudatsir, Allah SWT says, meaning: ‘What will bring you to Saqar (Hell)? They reply: ’We were not among those who prayed, and we did not feed the poor’’ (QS al-Mudatsir: 42-44).