6 Islamic Principles for Achieving Financial Wellbeing

As human beings, we were designed to have an exceptional love for wealth. Allah informs us of this in the Qur’an, and the Prophet (PBUH) warns of the responsibilities of having an abundance of wealth and misusing it.

In Islam, we believe in rizq, which is sustenance provided by Allah. This rizq is both a means for us to provide for ourselves and our families and also a test from Allah that can either bring us closer to Him or lead us astray.

Muslims should view their wealth through the lens of Islamic teachings, focusing on benefiting others and spiritual growth. This encourages gratitude and humility, recognizing that all wealth belongs to Allah.

It is important to have a balanced approach to wealth, avoiding being consumed by the need for material possessions. Ultimately, Allah provides for us and earning for the hereafter leads to contentment.

As Muslims, we strive to live our lives according to Islamic principles. This extends to our earning and spending habits. It is vital that what we earn and spend is permissible within the bounds of Islam.

We are instructed to avoid haram sources of income, such as interest, gambling, and illicit trade. Instead, we are taught to engage in ethical and responsible consumption.

Charity is important in the Islamic economic system, seen as a compulsory act of zakat, which is one out of five pillars. Not only does the receiver benefit, but also the giver. Giving with the right intention fosters empathy, compassion, and gratitude.

Muslims are encouraged to give sadaqah, in addition to zakat, with the understanding that it purifies and increases wealth. This act can also protect from negative consequences of wealth, like arrogance and materialism.

As Muslims, it is essential to invest our wealth in productive and sharia-compliant ways. Let's learn why investing is crucial, especially in today's world.

• Investing is buying assets that increase in value, not letting money sit in a bank account.
• Leaving money unused can cause its value to decrease over time due to inflation and zakat, resulting in a net loss of wealth.
• Sharia-compliant investing is encouraged as it aligns with Islamic beliefs and values.
• We should put our money to use and aim to at least maintain our wealth.

Islam emphasizes putting our wealth in halal investments to safeguard it. By increasing our wealth, we can better provide for our families and communities and donate more to charity, ultimately leading to investing for our akhirah (afterlife).

Barakah, also known as divine blessings, is at the core of Islamic finance. It has the power to increase the productivity, efficiency, and value of our wealth.

To attract barakah into our financial lives, it is important for us, as Muslims, to seek out halal sources of income and spend our money wisely. By doing so, we can experience a more satisfying, fulfilling, and successful financial journey.

Barakah refers not only to the quantity of wealth but also to the quality and influence of that wealth. Barakah can appear in many forms, such as meeting one's needs with a modest income, being content with one's possessions, or seeing one's wealth positively affect others. The key to attracting barakah is to follow Islamic principles in all aspects of financial life, from income to spending and everything in between.

A scarcity mindset and poverty can affect a person's perspective on wealth, causing them to believe that there is not enough for everyone. This leads to a diminished financial well-being and poor financial decisions. The Qur’an describes scarcity and abundance as opposing sources that lead to immoral or moral financial behavior, respectively.

The Prophet (PBUH) advised making downward social comparisons to feel blessed and grateful for one's blessings and avoid the scarcity mindset that leads to stinginess. As Muslims, we are warned against looking to the wealthy as a reference point and reminded that their wealth is a test from Allah that should not be desired.

Islamic teachings on personal finance offer a comprehensive and balanced approach to wealth management that promotes both material success and spiritual growth. We are taught to understand wealth from an Islamic perspective, focus on halal income and ethical spending, prioritize philanthropy, pursue barakah, and balance material and spiritual aspirations. Wealth and healthy relationships can be built on faith.