The only wealth that will save you on the day of judgment is the love and obedience of Allah and his messenger ﷺ. Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri
We do not need the wealth of this world. We need the wealth of the hereafter, and the only wealth we desire is the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri
Introduction:
In a world increasingly driven by material pursuits, career grinds, and social media validation, it is easy to lose our spiritual way. The profound historical events following the Battle of Hunain offer a timeless mirror for our souls. It is a story of divine psychology, unmatched loyalty, and a powerful choice made by the youth of the Ansar (the helpers of Medina) when they were asked to choose between the fleeting riches of this world; represented by sheep, camels, and gold and the eternal presence of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This historic encounter teaches us what true wealth really is and how we can realign our busy, modern lives with the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
The Strategy of Hearts After the Battle of Hunain:
Following the conquest of Mecca, a resisting force from the tribes of Hawazan and Banu Sa’d led to the challenging Battle of Hunain. Although the battle presented initial difficulties for the Muslims, they ultimately overcame the enemy by the grace of Allah. In the result, a vast amount of spoils; including camels, sheep, armor, gold, and money was acquired. In a move of profound strategy, the Holy Prophet ﷺ distributed the vast majority of this wealth to the newly converted Muslims and chiefs of Mecca who had resisted Islam for over two decades. This action was intended to inspire closeness in their hearts towards the faith, utilizing incentives to permanently draw them closer to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
A Lesson in Leadership and Human Psychology:
The Prophet’s ﷺ strategy highlights an essential lesson in psychology for leaders, educators, parents, and business owners: understanding the unique psyche of each individual in a community. People cannot be treated exactly the same if successful outcomes are desired. While some individuals require motivation, kindness, or confidence boosts, others may temporarily need material incentives or authority to guide them. The Prophet ﷺ understood that the new Meccan Muslims, whose faith was still fragile and influenced by politics and finance, needed these material gestures, whereas his seasoned, loyal companions possessed a completely different spiritual maturity that called for a deeper connection.
The Hurt of the Loyal Ansar:
Upon witnessing the distribution of wealth, the youth of the Ansar began to bicker among themselves. They recalled their sacrifices, noting that while their swords were still dripping with blood from defending the state, the new Meccan Muslims who had only embraced Islam the day before were receiving the gifts. They remembered their early devotion: “When he came from Mecca without a home, we gave him a home. When he needed shelter, we sheltered him. We were loyal to him, and we were the first to help grow the state of Medina.” The Holy Prophet ﷺ, understanding their minds, addressed them not with material rewards, but with questions that probed the very depths of their spiritual purpose.
The Ultimate Choice: Riches vs The Messenger ﷺ:
Addressing his beloved companions, the Prophet ﷺ asked, “Do you wish that these new Muslims from Mecca go back to Mecca with their sheep, camels, wealth, and money, and that I go back towards Medina with you?” This powerful question immediately cleared the dust of the dunya, wealth, and gifts from the hearts of the Ansar. Realizing the weight of their choice, they wept until their hearts were transformed, declaring that they desired neither camels nor sheep, but only the love of Allah. They chose to live and die with the Prophet ﷺ, proving that their true capital was never material wealth, but unconditional spiritual devotion.
Conclusion:
The choice of the Ansar is not just a historical event to be admired; it is an enduring plan for our own spiritual lives. In a world that constantly encourages us to choose the fleeting assets of the modern era whether it is corporate climbing, material accumulation, or social media validation, we are called upon to make a conscious decision. The ultimate takeaway is that true wealth lies not in what we accumulate, but in our connection to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. By recognizing that our time in this dunya is limited and implementing small, consistent habits like constant wudoo and gradual congregational prayers, we can rise above the daily grind. Like the loyal Ansar of Medina, when we clear the dust of the world from our hearts, we realize that having the love of Allah and the Messenger ﷺ is the only wealth that truly matters.
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