[4] Reflection on some statements of Al-Allamah Ubaid Al-Jabiri

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Narrated Abu Kabshah Al-An’maariy, may Allah be pleased with him, that Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “I swear by Allah regarding three (matters) which I am going to tell, so remember them. The wealth of a man does not decrease due to (giving) charity. A servant (of Allah) does not exercise patience when oppressed, except that Allah increases his honour. A servant (of Allah) does not open the door of begging, except that Allah opens for him the door of poverty (or he stated a statement similar to it). I am going to tell you (something), so remember it: the worldly life is for four types of people. A servant (of Allah) whom Allah has given wealth and knowledge, so he fears his Lord through it. He preserves the ties of kinship and acknowledges Allah’s Rights regarding it. This (person) is on the most virtuous position. A servant (of Allah) whom Allah has given knowledge but not wealth. He is truthful in his intention and says: ‘If I had wealth, I would have done the deed of such and such (person)’. Because of this intention of his, his reward is the same (i.e. the same as the righteous one who has been given wealth and knowledge). A servant (of Allah) whom Allah has given wealth but not knowledge. He wastes his wealth out of ignorance. He neither fears Allah nor does he keep the ties of kinship, nor does he acknowledge Allah’s rights. This (type of person) is at the evilest position. A servant (of Allah) whom Allah has neither given wealth nor knowledge and he says: ‘If I had wealth, I would have done the deed of such and such (person)’. So through his intention, they are similar (i.e. similar to the evil person who wastes his wealth). [1]

Al-Allamah Ubaid Al-Jabiri, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

The first is a wealthy person who is thankful (to Allah), thus, Allah will raise him to the most virtuous position due to his deed. The second is a poor person who exercises patience. He is truthful in his intention with regards to spending from that which Allah has bestowed on him. So Allah makes him reach the most virtuous position due to his truthful intention. The third is a boastful wealthy person. He is covetous and stingy, thus, his deed takes him to the most evil position. The fourth is a boastful poor person and his intention is evil. So together with his poverty, his intention takes him to the most evil position. So, due to this, we know that by way of truthful intentions, Allah raises the person. And an evil intention debases a person until he finds himself in the most evil position. [2]

[1]Reported by Tirmidhee 2325. Ahmad 18031. Al-Baghawiy 4097

[2] An Excerpt from:  البيان المرصع شرح القواعد الأربع- pages 8-9. Slightly paraphrased