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The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, clarified that true richness is that of the heart
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said
“Richness is not to have much possessions of this worldly life, but richness is that of the soul.”
Ibn Battaal (a scholar) said: “The meaning of the narration is that the reality of richness is not to possess a lot of wealth, because many of those whom Allah has given wealth are not content with what they have been given. The effect is that they strive very hard to increase their wealth, and such a person (usually) does not care where the wealth comes from; it is as if they are suffering from poverty, judging by how much they strive to attain more wealth. The reality of richness is that of the soul; such a person is sufficed and contented with what they have been given; such a person does not strive to increase their wealth; such a person does not insist on increasing their wealth, so it is as if they are rich.”
Abu Tharr (a Companion) said
“The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘O Abu Tharr, do you view that having abundant money is what makes a person rich?’ I said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘So you view that having little money makes a person poor?’ I said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Being wealthy is to have a rich [content] heart, and being destitute means to have a poor heart.’”
