Competition for Worldly Wealth

Narrated by `Amr bin `Auf Radiallahu Anhu  (An ally of the tribe of Bani ‘Amir bin Lu’ai and one of those who had witnessed the battle of Badr with Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)

Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) sent Abu ‘Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah Radiallahu Anhu to Bahrain to collect the Jizya tax. Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) had concluded a peace treaty with the people of Bahrain and appointed Al ‘Ala bin Al-Hadrami as their chief; Abu Ubaida Radiallahu Anhu arrived from Bahrain with the money. The Ansar heard of Abu ‘Ubaida’s Radiallahu Anhu arrival which coincided with the Fajr (morning) prayer led by Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). When Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam finished the prayer, they came to him. Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) smiled when he saw them and said, “I think you have heard of the arrival of Abu ‘Ubaida and that he has brought something.” They replied, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)! ” He said, “Have the good news, and hope for what will please you.

By Allah, I am not afraid that you will become poor, but I am afraid that worldly wealth will be given to you in abundance as it was given to those (nations) before you, and you will start competing each other for it as the previous nations competed for it, and then it will divert you (from good) as it diverted them.” ‘

Bukhari Shareef