Usually the rich people will be afflicted by various kinds of mental and spiritual diseases, among which is the love for showing their wealth to the others. They rejoice to mount an expensive automobile, and wear precious ornaments, and even splash drops of water, or particles of dusts upon the eyes of the passers-by! They do not know that their foolish exhibitions of wealth will create envy and jealousy in others, and their excellence and good fortune may incite a discontent or even a hatred in their fellows.
Korah was a manifest example of such a showy habit of the wealthy, therefore, when he went out among his people in that splendour and brilliant luster, the worldly people were attracted to him, and thought how happy they could be if they had his position.
On the other hand, the people who had some knowledge and wisdom said:-
``Woe is you! The reward of Allah is far better for him who believes and does righteous deeds. Let such gaudiness allure you not. There are other spiritual measure and wealth for man, that are more precious and becoming, and also everlasting compared with the fleeting wealth of Korah, which is not more than a cause of fall.''
``Then We made the earth to swallow him and his house, and there was not any host for him to help apart from Allah, neither he could be of any help to himself.''
Whatever of good in this world, and in the world to come, exist, is from God, because He is the Main Source of all good things. He is mere goodness and beauty and no evil can come out of good. To think otherwise is to associate a false god besides the mere truth.
No one should ever think that Islam likes poverty, or dislikes wealth. On contrary, our religion looks positively to riches, and of course on conditions.
In the sight of Islam, this world and the good things that it has, can all be a means of attaining the good things in the world to come:-
``And seek through what Allah has given you the last abode in Paradise, and forget not also your share of this world, and do good to others as Allah has done good to you.''
That sort of wealth is admired by Islam, that has been obtained from a lawful way. Then the wealthy should forget not his own share, and a share for the needy and poor. Then through the rest of what he has, he should seek the prosperity of the life to come. This may be attained by helping the helpless, and saving the fallen in the lagoon of loan and debt with usury. Or, giving a hand in raising the level of common education and knowledge. If some one loves wealth for such purposes, his love is not that of material or worldly. As a matter of fact, a poor nation cannot live a free and independent life. Poverty will render man ineffective and dependent, and he shall live in darkness, in both, this life and the life to come. Poverty will lead man to commit sin.
