How can a rich person be an ascetic while striving in this world and accumulating vast wealth, and only giving little in charity? Is not asceticism limited to mere subsistence? And how does the accumulation of wealth not contradict asceticism, taking into account Allah's saying: "Rivalry in worldly increase diverts you," and the Hadith of the son of Adam: "My wealth, my wealth"?
There is no harm for a Muslim in striving to be wealthy. Earning lawful money and spending it in obedience to Allah does not contradict Zuhd (asceticism). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed for wealth and blessings in money, and he differentiated between the types of people who strive to accumulate wealth. The best among them is he who fears his Lord in it, maintains kinship ties, and acknowledges Allah's right in it. Zuhd is abandoning what is of no benefit in the Afterlife. A man may accumulate much wealth and remain an ascetic if his heart is not attached to it. Money can be a blessing if it is a path to obedience, and an evil if it is for boasting or distracts one from Allah.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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