صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! We were listening to the description of the virtues and benefits of poverty and its blessings. Remember! Those Muslims who are despised in the eyes of the rich, they are alienated from the circle of friends while being considered as poor, they are not visited due to the lack of their wealth and poverty. But may we be sacrificed on the mercy of Allah Almighty, these are the people who are the cause of honour and greatness for Paradise. These are the people who are beloved to Allah Almighty and his Blessed Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Let us hear two sayings of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم which are in virtue of poverty and in honour of the poor.

Virtues of the poor

1.   Once the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to his Sahabah: ‘أَیُّ النَّاسِ خَیْرٌ’ Who is the best of all people? They replied: A wealthy person who continues to perform the obligatory rights of Allah Almighty in his life and property (i.e., performs physical and financial acts of worship). He said: ‘نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ ھٰذَا وَلَیْسَ بِہٖ’ Such a person is good but that is not what I intended. The Sahabah replied: O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم You tell us who is the best of all people? He replied: ‘فَقِیْـرٌ یُّعْطِیْ جُھْدَہٗ’ The poor person who spends according to his means in the way of Allah Almighty. (Musnad Tayaalisi, Musnad Naafi’ ‘an Ibn-e-‘Umar, p. 253, Hadees 1852, Slightly amended)

2.   He stated: ‘اِنَّ اللّٰہ یُحِبُّ الْـفَقِیْرَ الْمُتَعَفِّفَ اَبَا الْعِیَالِ’ Allah Almighty loves that poor person who refrains from begging despite having children. (Ibn-e-Majah, vol. 4, p. 432, Hadees 4121)

3.   He stated: There is a key to everything and the key to Paradise is love for the destitute and the poor who are patient. These people will be close to Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgement. (Musnad-ul-Firdaus, vol. 2, p. 191, Hadees 5029)

O lovers of the Prophet! Did you hear the many virtues our Masterصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم mentioned regarding the poor people! But Alas! In our times, neither are the poor cared for and nor are they shown kindness whereas, the rich people and