Materialism and wealth according to the Quran

The Quran acknowledges material possessions and their role in human life, but it also warns against excessive attachment to materialism and the neglect of spiritual values. The verses from the Quran about materialism emphasize that believers should be mindful of their wealth and possessions, recognizing that they are a test from Allah. The Quran warns against the deceptive nature of worldly pleasures and reminds believers that the true purpose and value of life lies with Allah and the Hereafter. It also highlights the danger of arrogance and mockery towards those who prioritize faith and spirituality over material possessions. Overall, these verses encourage believers to maintain a balanced perspective and prioritize righteousness and the Hereafter over worldly pleasures and status. 

Here are a few verses from the Quran that address materialism:

Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 267: "O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy." This verse encourages believers to spend from their wealth and possessions in the cause of Allah, but it also warns against being miserly or giving away only defective or low-quality items.

Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18), Verse 46: "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." This verse reminds believers that material possessions and family are temporary adornments in this world, and that the most important and lasting rewards come from good deeds and actions.

Surah Al-Qasas (Chapter 28), Verse 77: "But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." This verse advises believers to seek the rewards of the Hereafter, but also reminds them to not neglect their worldly responsibilities and to use their possessions and resources for good purposes.

Overall, the Quran emphasizes the importance of balancing material and spiritual values, and warns against excessive attachment to material possessions and neglect of spiritual pursuits. It encourages believers to use their wealth and possessions for good purposes and to seek the rewards of the Hereafter, which are eternal and lasting.


Here are a few more verses from the Quran that address materialism and wealth:

Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9), Verse 34: "O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment." This verse condemns those who accumulate wealth unjustly and use it for their own benefit, instead of spending it in the way of Allah. It warns that such people will face a painful punishment.

Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 188: "And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]." This verse prohibits the consumption of wealth unjustly, and warns against using bribery or influence to gain wealth or advantage at the expense of others.

Surah Al-Mutaffifin (Chapter 83), Verses 1-3: "Woe to those who give less [than due], who, when they take a measure from people, take in full, but if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss. Do they not think that they will be resurrected?" These verses condemn those who cheat others in business dealings by giving less than what is due to them, or taking more than what they deserve. It warns that they will be held accountable for their actions in the Hereafter.

Surah Al-Anfal (Chapter 8), Verse 28: "And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward." This verse reminds believers that their material possessions and children are a test from Allah, and that the true reward lies with Him. It encourages believers to prioritize their faith and good deeds over material possessions.

Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 267: "O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy." This verse encourages believers to spend from their wealth and possessions in the cause of Allah, but it also warns against being miserly or giving away only defective or low-quality items.

Surah Al-Imran (Chapter 3), Verse 14: "Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return." This verse acknowledges that people are naturally attracted to wealth and possessions, but it also reminds believers that the enjoyment of worldly life is temporary and that the best return lies with Allah.

Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18), Verse 46: "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." This verse reminds believers that wealth and children are merely temporary adornments of the worldly life, and that the true reward lies with Allah for those who engage in enduring good deeds.

Surah Al-Ma'arij (Chapter 70), Verses 19-21: "Indeed, mankind was created anxious. When evil touches him, impatient, and when good touches him, withholding [of it], Except the observers of prayer - Those who are constant in their prayer." These verses acknowledge that human beings are naturally anxious and concerned about material possessions, but they also suggest that the act of prayer can help believers overcome this anxiety and find peace and contentment.

Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 267: "O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy." This verse encourages believers to spend from their wealth and possessions in the cause of Allah, but it also warns against being miserly or giving away only defective or low-quality items.

Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 188: "And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]." This verse warns against the unjust consumption of others' wealth or engaging in bribery to gain access to more wealth, as such actions are considered sinful.

Surah Al-Qasas (Chapter 28), Verse 77: "But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." This verse encourages believers to seek the rewards of the Hereafter through good deeds, but it also reminds them to not forget their share of the world and to use their wealth and possessions for good purposes. It also warns against causing corruption in the land.

Surah Al-Isra (Chapter 17), Verse 29: "And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent." This verse warns against both miserliness and extravagance with wealth and possessions, encouraging believers to find a balance and avoid becoming insolvent or causing harm to themselves or others.

Surah Al-Imran (Chapter 3), Verse 180: "And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted." This verse reminds believers that withholding wealth and possessions that Allah has given them is not beneficial for them in the long run, and that they will be held accountable for it on the Day of Resurrection.

Surah Al-Tawbah (Chapter 9), Verse 34: "O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment." This verse warns against those who hoard wealth and do not spend it in the cause of Allah, reminding believers that such actions are unjust and will lead to a painful punishment.

Surah Al-Humazah (Chapter 104), Verses 1-3: "Woe to every scorner and mocker who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal." These verses criticize those who mock and scorn others while accumulating wealth, and remind believers that such wealth will not make them immortal or protect them from the consequences of their actions.

Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18), Verse 46: "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." This verse reminds believers that worldly possessions such as wealth and children are merely temporary adornments, and that enduring good deeds are what truly matter in the sight of Allah.

Surah Al-Anfal (Chapter 8), Verse 28: "And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward." This verse emphasizes that worldly possessions such as wealth and children are a test from Allah, and that believers will be rewarded for how they use and handle these possessions.

Surah Al-Hadid (Chapter 57), Verse 20: "Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion." This verse describes the temporary and fleeting nature of worldly possessions and the competition for wealth and children. It reminds believers that the true enjoyment and reward is in the Hereafter, and that the worldly life is ultimately a delusion.

Surah Al-Isra (Chapter 17), Verse 29: "And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent." This verse warns against being overly miserly or greedy with one's wealth, as this can lead to being blamed and insolvent. It encourages believers to strike a balance between spending and saving, and to use their wealth in a responsible and just manner.

Surah Al-Hujurat (Chapter 49), Verse 13: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." This verse reminds believers that their true worth and nobility is not determined by their wealth or status, but by their righteousness and piety. It encourages them to focus on their inner qualities and to strive for goodness and virtue, rather than material possessions.

Surah Al-Ma'arij (Chapter 70), Verse 19-21: "Indeed, mankind was created anxious: When evil touches him, impatient, and when good touches him, withholding [of it], Except the observers of prayer." These verses remind believers that the anxieties and pressures of this world can often distract them from their spiritual goals and lead them to focus on material possessions. It encourages them to be mindful of their prayers and to seek solace and guidance in their faith during times of hardship and prosperity alike.

Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 267: "O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy." This verse encourages believers to be generous in their spending, but to do so in a responsible and wise manner. It reminds them to spend from their good earnings and from the bounties of the earth, but to avoid spending on things that are defective or of poor quality. It also reminds believers that Allah is free of need and is worthy of praise, and that their spending should be motivated by a desire to please Allah and help others, rather than a desire for personal gain or recognition.

Surah Al-Furqan (Chapter 25), Verse 67: "And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate." This verse encourages believers to be moderate in their spending, neither excessive nor sparing. It emphasizes the importance of balance and moderation in all aspects of life, including in the use of wealth and possessions.

Surah Al-Qasas (Chapter 28), Verse 77: "But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." This verse reminds believers to keep their focus on the Hereafter, while also recognizing the importance of their share of the world. It encourages them to use their wealth and possessions in a responsible and just manner, and to avoid any actions that could lead to corruption or harm. It also reminds them that Allah does not like corrupters and encourages them to strive for goodness and virtue in all aspects of their lives.

Surah Al-An'am (Chapter 6), Verse 165: "And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful." This verse reminds believers that Allah has made them stewards of the earth and has raised some of them above others in rank and status. It emphasizes that this is a test from Allah, and that believers will be held accountable for how they use the resources and blessings that Allah has given them.

Surah Al-Imran (Chapter 3), Verse 14: "Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return." This verse warns believers about the deceptive nature of worldly pleasures and material possessions. It describes how people are attracted to things like wealth, status, and possessions, but reminds them that the true value and purpose of life is with Allah and the Hereafter.

Surah Al-Mutaffifin (Chapter 83), Verses 28-30: "Indeed, those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. And when they passed by them, they would exchange derisive glances. And when they returned to their people, they would return jesting. And when they saw them, they would say, 'Indeed, those are truly lost.'" These verses describe how the arrogant and materialistic people of the world look down on those who prioritize faith and spirituality over worldly possessions. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith and resilience in the face of ridicule and mockery.


No comments:

Post a Comment

How big is Allah, the 1 God?

  We all have questions about God. We have thousands or millions of God's, according to some who prefer to think that more is better. Th...