ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Islamic Piety and the Issue of Wealth The definition of wealth Although wealth is a stock concept, it relates more to the flow dynamic of resources and capabilities while richness relates more to the static point of absolute value. The simplest definition of wealth might be that it is any lasting asset or stable capability that is valued by people and assists them in achieving the ultimate goal of their lives individually and collectively.

Therefore, it includes both tangible assets like cars and houses as well as intangible capabilities such as the stock of human capital, social capital or access to essential services such as health care, public goods, and information technology infrastructure. The importance of wealth in an Islamic assessment Islam respects wealth and considers it as an invaluable means needed for maintenance of life.

Hence, a considerable part of its teachings concentrates on this issue including its importance, its distribution, its consumption, and so on. The key issue in this regard is that wealth is nothing more than a necessary means to approach our goal, to be God-like. With this consideration, the wealthier we are, the more powerfully we can pursue and realize our ultimate goal. This, indeed, is the real meaning of progressive self-detachment.

Wealth, according to The Qur’an, is a vital element for the society’s existence so that the lack of sufficient wealth jeopardizes its firmness and its consistency[^9] . Therefore, the virtue of positive and progressive self-detachment does not demand being poor at all, instead it requires casting out from the heart the desire for wealth as an ultimate goal rather than as a necessary means.

In this way, one reaches for a high level of spirituality, being God’s vicegerent and the object of angels’ prostration. In addition, this virtue is exhibited when wealth is employed to empower people to progress from a low level of strength, fitness or co-ordination on a journey that enables them to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.

Thus, the wealthiest person, say Solomon, can be called self-detached when he loves the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his might.