Measuring Worth?

Although things shouldn't surprise me but still i guess one never gets used to how the society is deteriorating and becoming more and more materialistic day by day. One of the prime examples is based on the fact how society measures the worth of individuals these days. While making friends, finding a spouse, becoming close with some family member or generally developing any form of social relationship, what would you consider as the most important factor? Faith, Akhlaq, Character OR the material wealth they possess? If you have chosen the latter then i am sorry to say you are not going to like where i am going with this post.


When people look at two people and wonder how they could be friends, be married or get along so well just because one might have more riches than the other really makes me surprised. Rather than thinking that how can these two be friends when one clearly has a greater level of eeman, they base it on money. The sad part is that society has brainwashed us so much that even we ourselves tend to judge ourselves based on our material wealth. Be honest with yourself and imagine if having more material good would make you feel better with the same level of eeman? What answer did you get? You dont need to reveal the answer to anyone, just be your own judge!


Have we forgotten the examples of Hazrat Behlool(r.a)? Who was better Hazrat Brehlool (r.a) or Haroon with all his wealth? Have you forgotten Hazrat Meesam-e-Tammar(r.a), Hazrat Bilal(r.a), Hazrat Qambar(r.a)? History has even shown some close companions of Imam Al-Asr(ajtf) to be cobblers. Do you think some wealthy people in their time were more worthy than these companions?

Qambar's name is often mentioned in the traditions. And he has been immortalised by the poetry lines of Imam 'Ali(a.s):

When I saw an unlawful thing, 

1 kindled a fire and called Qambar.

ref:http://www.al-islam.org/slavery/

Imagine Imam Ali(a.s) saying that about someone! Now compare that with how you measure someone's worth and how Ahlulbayt(s.a) did?

Let's look at another incident which led to the revelation of a Quranic Ayat.

[Shakir 80:1] He frowned and turned (his) back,
[Shakir 80:2] Because there came to him the blind man.
[Shakir 80:3] And what would make you know that he would purify himself,
[Shakir 80:4] Or become reminded so that the reminder should profit him?
[Shakir 80:5] As for him who considers himself free from need (of you),
[Shakir 80:6] To him do you address yourself.
[Shakir 80:7] And no blame is on you if he would not purify himself
[Shakir 80:8] And as to him who comes to you striving hard,
[Shakir 80:9] And he fears,
[Shakir 80:10] From him will you divert yourself.
[Shakir 80:11] Nay! surely it is an admonishment.

The occasion for the revelation of this Chapter was a historic event which took place. Once the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) was with some the rich individuals of Quraish from the tribe of Umayad. While the Messenger of Allah was preaching them, Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktoom who was blind and was one of the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) came to see him. The Holy Prophet received him with honor and pleasure and gave him the closest place to himself. However, the Prophet did not answer the question of the blind immediately Since he was at the middle of his speech with the Qurashites. Since Abdullah was poor and blind, the chieftains of the Quraish looked down upon him and they did not like the honor and the respect bestowed upon him by the Prophet (PBUH&HF). They also did not like the presence of the blind among themselves and his interrupting their conversation with the Prophet (PBUH&HF). Finally one of the wealthy Umayad frowned at Abdullah and turned his back to him.
This act of the chieftains of Quraish displeased Allah and thus He revealed the Chapter 80 (Abas) through Gabriel at the same time. This Chapter commended Abdullah's position though poor and blind. In the first 4 verses, Allah denounced the detesting attitude of the chieftain of the Quraish. And in the later verses, Allah * reminds * his Prophet (PBUH&HF) that preaching an unbeliever is not necessary if the unbeliever does not intend to purify himself and offenses a believer just because of his lack of wealth and health.

ref:http://www.al-islam.org/encyclopedia/chapter1b/1.html


There are many such incidents and people in history which show us how to truly measure the worth of a person. It's unfortunate that we have become so twisted in our beliefs and always look at the wrong criteria. Hopefully this can make some,if not all, realize that there needs to be a real big readjustment of attitude. Maybe it should start with ourselves first as maybe we also measure our own self worth based on the money we have. Learn to recognize the real gems!


May Allah(swt) guide us all...(ameen).