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The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, guided them to actions that help them overcome poverty, like keeping the ties of kinship
Anas ibn Maalik said
“I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, say: ‘Whoever wants to have his wealth spread for him, and for his life extended [blessed], then let them keep the ties of their kinship.’”
The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not fear poverty for his Nation as much as he feared that they would competefor the worldly life: `Amr ibn `Awf (a Companion) reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sent Abu `Ubaydah ibn Al-Jarraah (another Companion) to Bahrain in order to bring the protection money from there.
The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had a peace treaty with the people of Bahrain, and ordered that Al-`Alaa’ ibn Al-Hadhrami (a Companion) be the ruler over it When Abu `Ubaydah came with money from Bahrain, the Ansaar heard about his coming, and gathered for the dawn prayer with the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. When he left, they went to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and he smiled when he saw them, saying: “I think you heard that Abu `Ubaydah has come with something.” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Then receive glad tidings, and hope for that which pleases you, for by Allah I do not fear for poverty for you, but I fear that the worldly life becomes laid out for you just as it was laid out for those before you, causing them to strive and compete for it as they did, and I fear that you do the same, causing you to be destroyed as they were destroyed.”
Conclusion:
When reading about the dealings of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with the poor, we see how he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would supplicate to Allah to make them rich from His Bounty, and to make their affairs easy. At other times, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would urge them to be patient and console them, as well as remind them that this worldly life is passing away, and that the Hereafter is what truly remains. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would remind them of the virtue of hunger, and the virtue of being patient in the face of poverty for those who are afflicted with it. He would guide them to ways to work and earn money, like in his saying: “By Him in Whose hand is my soul, it is better for one of you to take firewood on his back and sell it than to go to a man and ask for money, and he might give him or not.”
It should not be perceived that because the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave in charity and encouraged his Companions to do so as well, meant that he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would accept that the poor continue to ask for help for the rest of their lives. On the contrary, he was keen on teaching the poor the importance of working to fulfil one’s own needs. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, wanted them to avoid the disgrace of asking and begging and enjoy the sweetness of giving. The Prophet’s mercy upon the poor was for their own good and welfare and to help them attain true happiness. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not only aim to feed them temporarily, but also to teach them, raise their spirits, and broaden their minds. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, wanted their welfare in this worldly life and in the Hereafter as his approach was truly balanced and comprehensive.
