The meaning of the word غَنِی, is independence. This means, to be free of want and need, or total independence from others. This is from the attributes of Allah Almighty, as mentioned in the Holy Quran:

یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اَنْتُمُ الْفُقَرَآءُ اِلَى اللّٰهِۚ-وَ اللّٰهُ هُوَ الْغَنِیُّ الْحَمِیْدُ(۱۵)

O people! You are dependent upon Allah; and only Allah is the Independent, the Most Praiseworthy.^[1]

We learn from this verse, that we are all dependant on Allah Almighty, and He is free from want and need, and He is totally independent. The attribute of total independence cannot be attained by any human, and is exclusive to Allah Almighty alone.

The attribute of independence, when mentioned in reference to the servants of Allah, is material, psychological and spiritual poverty. It is not independence or wealth, in actuality. Imam Ghazali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه has explained 6 levels of poverty, and the highest level of poverty is referred to as independence.

This means, a person becomes independent and unwanting of any thing related to the world, be it wealth or status, etc. A person who gives no importance to wealth is not concerned with whether he has it or not, as both states are the same to him. Such a person is known as ghani.^[2]

The Prophet of Allah, Sayyiduna ‘Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was reported to have been asked by his hawariyyun, “O Ruhullah! What is the reason that you can walk upon water the way you do upon land, but we cannot?” In reply, he asked, “What importance do dirham and dinar have to you?” The hawariyyun said, “According to us, dirham and dinar are good things to be sought after.” Sayyiduna ‘Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام  explained, “According to me,