The Quran’s Warning Against Amassing Wealth

By Editor on 5th July 2026 • ( 0 )

The Quran’s Warning Against Amassing Wealth

The Quran’s Forgotten Message: Social Justice Before Ritualism

The Holy Quran is a book of guidance, mercy, and wisdom. It is a divine revelation that lays down the fundamental principles of reformation based on virtue, justice, peace, and equality.

Tragically, Muslims today use it primarily as a book of recitation for spiritual rewards. We are not implementing it as a code of life. Instead of unity, we use it for division. Sectarianism and religious bigotry dominate. Clerics of all sects promote hatred and violence. Due to monarchy and Mullahism, we have lost our real objective.

We need to rediscover the true understanding of Islam in the light of the Quran, and abandon historical, sectarian, and jurisprudential differences that divide us.

What does the Holy Quran say about wealth and social justice?

Sura Al-Ma’un (Acts of Kindness) 107: 1- 7: The Holy Quran says:

“Have you seen him who denies the Day of Judgment? It is he who drives away the orphan, and does not encourage the feeding of the poor. Woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their prayers, those who make a show of piety, and give no alms to the destitute”.

In Sura Al-Takathur :102: 8 (The Piling Up of Worldly Gain)

“You are distracted by the piling up of worldly gain, until you visit the graves. No! You will soon come to know. Again, no! You will soon come to know. If only you knew with certainty, you would see the Hellfire. Then, on that Day, you will be questioned about the pleasures you indulged in.”

In Sura Al-Humazah ( The Slanderer) : 104: 1-4

“Woe to every backbiting slanderer, who amasses wealth and counts it, thinking that his wealth will make him immortal. By no means! They shall surely be thrown into the Destroying Flame”.

Then in Sura Al-Fajr (The Dawn): 89: 17- 20. The Holy Quran says:

“No! But you do not honour the orphan, nor do you encourage one another to feed the poor. And you devour the inheritance with greed, and you love wealth with immense love.”

In Sura Al-Layl [92:5-11] – ( The Night): 92: 5-11. The Holy Quran announces:

“As for him who gives in charity and fears Allah, and believes in goodness, We shall facilitate for him the path of salvation. But as for him who never gives, neither seeks Allah’s reward and disbelieves in goodness, We shall smooth the path of affliction for him And when he breaths his last, his wealth will not avail him.”

These verses make it clear: prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage alone are not sufficient for salvation. According to the Quran, social and economic justice is more important than rituals. Rituals are a Way to Destination.

It is tragic that for centuries, under fearful and authoritarian monarchic rule, Muslim jurists, clerics, scholars, and even many Sufis have ignored the revolutionary mission of the Quran. Today we still debate trivial, obsolete matters instead of working to establish an Islamic Welfare State based on freedom, democracy, social justice, and merit.

We continue to hoodwink people in the name of religion. Religion must not be used for political purposes. It is the last resort for have- nots to rise against all exploitative forces whether they are religious, spiritual or political.

As Dr Allama Iqbal said in one of his Persian couplets:

چیست قرآن خواجہ را پیغامِ مرگ

دستگیرِ بندۂ بے ساز و برگ

“What is the Quran to the seeker but the message of death to capitalism?
It is the support of the destitute, who has neither means nor provision.”

The Holy Quran is a complete Code of Life. It is not only religious, moral, and spiritual. It is legal, rational, social, and political. It reminds us that this world is temporary. For salvation on the Day of Judgment, we must refrain from greed, from amassing wealth, and from the lust for power.

The Quran is the only refuge, strength, and guide for the humble person who has no wealth or status. For the righteous, it is both a reminder of mortality and the ultimate help for the needy, the helpless, and the destitute. Come back to the Quran.

In light of these verses, it is clear: a society and state that are oblivious to the needs of the poor are walking toward destruction.

This raises a serious question: Can anyone be poor, needy, or destitute in a truly Islamic society and state?

The answer is a clear No.

The truth is: We have Muslim states, but we do not have Islamic states.

An Islamic State is one that is democratic and is founded on social justice. The establishment of a social welfare state is the first and last message of the Holy Quran.