from begging and spend in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, so they earned Halal, ate pure things, spent in moderation and sent (their wealth by means of Sadaqah and generosity) for their Hereafter. Whatever financial rights they had upon them, they did not become heedless of them nor did they become stingy. They spent most of their wealth for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, even some of them spent their entire wealth/possessions in the way of Allah and would prefer the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ to poverty.

Tell me! Are you like them? By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! You do not bear even a very little resemblance to them. The great companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی عَـنْهُم would prefer to live like the Miskeen (poor); they used to be fearless of being poor and would trust Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ in the matter of their sustenance. They used to be pleased with what Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ bestowed upon them. During the times of troubles they used to be pleased with the Will of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, thankful in prosperity, patient in poverty, and they used to praise Him in peace. They used to be humble for the sake of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and were not arrogant and proud of their excessive wealth. They rejected the world and remained patient upon its difficulties and did not desire its blessings and luxuries. Are you like them? When the world turned towards them they would become sad and would (humbly) say that it is the punishment for some sin which was immediately given to them. When they saw the poor coming towards them, they would say that this is a blessing that pious people are coming. When they became prosperous, they would grow sad and feel fear and say, ‘What is our relation to the world? This is not our purpose.’ They would be afraid for attachment to the world and when they had troubles, they would get happy and say, ‘Now Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has shown mercy to us.’ These were the conditions and qualities of our pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی; their virtues are so many which are difficult to be mentioned.

(He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه further said): Now I will tell you about your condition that is contrary to their attributes. When you possess wealth you rebel, you become ungrateful in times of prosperity and arrogant when you receive plenty of wealth; you do not thank Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ for His blessings, you become hopeless in pain, you get displeased in times of troubles and you are not content with His Will. (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 3, pp. 798-800)