Most often, it is the fight for possessions that leads people to sorrow and pain. In fact, the entire life of the unbelievers rests upon the greed for “having property”. They always struggle to have more, making this the real aim of their life.
However, this "rivalry in respect of wealth and children” (Surat al-Hadid, 57:20) is a total deception, since, the dominion of all possessions on earth is of Allah. People only fool themselves by thinking that they really own something, since they have neither created the things they possess, nor have they the power to keep them alive and ever-lasting. Nor can they avoid their own destruction. Furthermore, they have no status to “possess” anything, because they are “possessed” by another being. This Superior Being is “the King (or Ruler) of Mankind” (Surat anNas, 114:2) Who is Allah. The Qur’an informs us that the entire universe is possessed by Allah:
“To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth, and all between them, and all beneath the soil.”
As a matter of fact, Allah has given all possessions to people as a temporary “trust” in this world. This trust will last for a certain period of time and when the day of judgement comes, everyone will be asked to account for his conduct.
In this day of judgement, each one will be asked about his intentions and purpose in using this “trust” given to him. Those who considered themselves owners rather than trustees, and revolted against the Prophets by saying, “Does your prayer command you that we leave off doing what we like with our property?” (Surah Hud, 11:87), deserve severe punishment. The Qur’an describes what will happen to them:
“And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed on them of His Bounty think that it is good for them. Nay, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously withheld shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is Well–Acquainted with all that you do.”
As mentioned in the Qur’an, all the gifts given to man by Allah, by His Grace, is for him to spend with no “covetous withholding”. So, instead of trying to own and preserve these possessions, one should expend them in the way Allah commands. This means that the believer will use the proper amount that is necessary for his maintenance and then spend “what is beyond his needs” (Surat al-Baqara, 2:219). If he does not act accordingly and tries to “keep” all his wealth, then this will mean that he sees himself as its owner. Yet, the punishment for this kind of behaviour is of a very serious nature. In the Qur’an this is explained thus:
“...And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah:
announce unto them a most grievous penalty. On the Day, when it will (all) be heated in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs. (and it will be said unto them): ‘This is the (treasure) which you buried for yourselves: taste you, then, the treasures you buried‘”
There is “economy” in Islam, but no “piling up possessions”. The believers do not trust in the material things they keep or accumulate for “the bad days”, but only in Allah. So, Allah increases their wealth in return. Allah gives them more than they spend in His way, and increases their blessings. This is stated in a verse as follows:
"The parable of those who spend their property in the way of Allah is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears(with) a hundred grains in every ear. Allah multiplies for whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing."
On the contrary, the situation of the one who does not spend in the way of Allah is that of one
“who piles up wealth and keeps on counting it, thinking that his wealth would make him last for ever. By no means! He will be sure to be thrown into the crushing Fire. And what will make you know what the crushing Fire is? It is the Fire of Allah kindled (to a blaze).”
