owe anybody money, if I have harmed anyone’s life, wealth or honour, then my life, wealth and honour is present; he should settle accounts with me in this world. None of you should fear that I will become upset if you settle accounts with me; this is not befitting of me. It is most beloved to me that if a person has a right over me, he should take it from me or forgive me.’

He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then said, ‘O people! If anybody has any right upon him, then he should fulfil it, and he should not think that he will be humiliated, for humiliation in the world is better than humiliation in the Hereafter.’ (Tareekh Ibn-e-‘Asakir, vol. 48, p. 323, summarised)

Becoming wealthy through pious deeds

Dear Islamic brothers! It cannot be conceived that the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, who is the mercy of Allah Almighty, violated anyone’s right or hurt anyone, but due to the fear of Allah Almighty, he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is still asking for forgiveness from the people. We also learn from this action of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم that if we knowingly or unknowingly violate a Muslim’s right, or if someone was harmed by us, then we should immediately ask for forgiveness; one should never show laziness or embarrassment in this matter, lest we are made to face such embarrassment on the Day of Judgement that we are humiliated in front of the entire creation.

Therefore, betterment of both worlds lies in humbling yourself and immediately seeking forgiveness. Otherwise, you will have to give away your good deeds in the Hereafter.

If you have no good deeds, then you will have to carry the sins of the oppressed, just as the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Are you aware of who is penniless (Muflis)?’

The Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم said, ‘The penniless among us is the one who has no Dirhams nor any possessions.’

He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘The penniless person from my Ummah is the one who will come on the Day of Judgement with Salah, fasts and Zakat, but he would have sworn at so-and-so, accused so-and-so of something, ate so-and-so’s wealth, shed so-and-so’s blood and hit so-and-so. Thus, all of them will be