The same way, the riches do not mean a great amount of wealth or property, it is the riches of self-contentment that keeps the heart of a believer cool, light and happy. This self contentment comes from the humility and patience that Islam teaches him and he is contended for he knows this the best for him decided by Allah Almighty.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has always advised his companions to find solace and happiness in self contentment and feeling sufficiency in their soul.
This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 81: To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq) / كتاب الرقاق / Chapter 15: True riches is self-contentment / باب الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ / as Hadith 6446, given herein under:
Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"Wealth is not in having many possessions, but rather (true) wealth is feeling sufficiency in the soul."
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَصِينٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
" لَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ ".
The hadith highlights the concept that true wealth is not measured by the accumulation of material goods or possessions, but by a sense of contentment, gratitude, and spiritual sufficiency within the heart.
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is emphasizing that material wealth is not the key to happiness or true prosperity. While worldly possessions can provide comfort and security, they do not necessarily bring peace of mind or contentment. True wealth, according to this hadith, is an inner state of satisfaction and peace, where a person feels "sufficient" and does not constantly desire more or compare themselves with others.
This inner sufficiency is tied to a sense of gratitude, contentment with what one has, and trust in God's provision. A person with this type of wealth does not feel poor, even if they lack material goods, because their heart is at peace and they feel they have enough.
Connection to the Qur'an
This teaching aligns closely with various verses in the Qur'an that emphasize the importance of contentment, reliance on Allah (God), and the futility of chasing material wealth for its own sake.
- Gratitude and Sufficiency: Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And it is He who enriched you with wealth and children." (Qur'an 53:48)
This verse reminds us that wealth is a blessing from Allah. True enrichment is not just about material wealth, but about understanding and appreciating the spiritual abundance granted by God. A person who feels sufficient and content in their soul is rich because they recognize that Allah’s blessings are enough for them.
- Contentment with What We Have:
“Do not wish for what We have given to some of them (disbelievers) to enjoy. But [wish for] the reward of the Hereafter, which is better and more enduring.” (Qur'an 4:77)
This verse encourages believers not to covet the wealth or status of others, which can often lead to dissatisfaction. It reminds us that the rewards of the Hereafter are far greater and more lasting than any material possessions we might accumulate in this life. Contentment with what we have is an important virtue in Islam, and the desire for more worldly possessions should not overwhelm the heart.
- Relying on Allah’s Provision:
“And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient.” (Qur'an 93:8)
Allah reminds us that He is the One who provides for our needs. True wealth is in knowing that Allah will provide what is necessary, and that this sufficiency comes not from material possessions, but from Allah’s blessings. When one feels "sufficient in the soul," they are recognizing that their true wealth is in their reliance on God’s provision, rather than in the accumulation of possessions.
The Example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ):
The Prophet (ﷺ) himself exemplified this attitude of sufficiency. Despite his status, he lived simply and was content with whatever he had, trusting in Allah’s provision. In a famous hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “If you were to trust in Allah with true trust, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.” (Tirmidhi)
This hadith beautifully illustrates the concept of relying on Allah and feeling sufficiency in the soul, trusting that whatever is meant for you will reach you, and that true wealth lies in contentment, not in material accumulation.
The hadith and the verses from the Qur'an together emphasize that material wealth is fleeting and that the real treasure is contentment, sufficiency, and peace of mind. The essence of wealth, as defined by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), is an inner state of sufficiency — feeling rich in the heart through trust in Allah’s provision, gratitude, and detachment from worldly desires.
True believers should therefore believe that true prosperity is not in possessing more, but in feeling content with what one has and knowing that Allah’s plans for us are better than anything we could seek in this world.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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