The Evil Of Craving For Wealth
And Status
By: al-
Haafidh ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee
(d.795H) rahimahullah
Translated By: Aboo Talhah Daawood ibn Ronald
Burbank
Publisher’s Note…...…………………………………………………………… 3
Editor’s Introduction…………………………………………………………… 5
A Brief Biography of the Author……………………………………………... 7
The Evil of Craving for Wealth and Status…………………………………. 9
Craving for Wealth……………………………………………………………. 11
The First Type of Craving for Wealth………………………………………. 11
The Second Type of Craving for Wealth………………………………...… 13
Craving for Status……………………………………………………………... 16
The First Type of Craving for Status……………………………………….. 16
The Second Type of Craving for Status……………………………………. 23
This World and the Hereafter……………………………………………….. 33
All Praise is for Allah, the Most High. Prayers and peace be upon Muhammad, his
family, his Companions and all those who continue in their way until the Day of
gathering.
Many a man has led his soul into destruction by that which he covets. Desiring the
riches of this world, recognition and authority amongst the people – it was a trial for the
nations of the past and many of us relentlessly chase after it today. We hope that this
valuable book highlights the evil consequences of craving after wealth and status and
how that can corrupt the Deen of the Muslim. We pray that this realisation causes our
brothers and sisters to race one another in hastening towards forgiveness from Allaah,
seeking the best provision in the Hereafter – Aameen.
This is the English translation of the book Sharh Hadeeth Maa Dhi`baan Jaa`I’aan..
(Explanation of the Hadeeth: Two Hungry Wolves…”) by the esteemed scholar of
Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah, Imaam al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795h).
Many this fine work provide beneficial and though provoking information for the
reader and may it be a treasure for us On the Day when neither wealth nor sons will benefit
(one) except he who comes before Allaah with a sound heart.
Al-Hidaayah Publishing and Distribution
Note: All references quoted refer to the Arabic books unless otherwise stated.
All praise is for Allaah, we praise Him, we seek His aid and ask for His
forgiveness. We
seek Allaah’s refuge from the evils of ourselves and from our evil actions.
Whomsoever
Allaah guides then none can misguide him, and whomsoever Allaah misguides then
none can guide him. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except
Allaah,
alone, having no partner and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and His
Messenger.
To proceed: This is a valuable treatise by al-Haafidh Zaynuddeen `Abdur-Rahmaan
ibn
Rajab al-Hanbalee in which he explains the saying of Allaah’s Messenger (salAllahu
‘alayhi wa sallam): “Two hungry wolves let loose among sheep are not more
harmful then
a person’s craving after wealth and status in his Deen.”
In the treatise he explains the serious consequences of a person’s greed for
amassing
wealth and that it may lead a person into that which is forbidden. Likewise a
person’s
craving after attainment of status and position – then this will generally
prevent the
good, dignity and honour of the Hereafter – and may lead a person into pride and
to
looking down upon and having contempt for others.
What is shown by this valuable treatise is applicable to this time of ours
and provides a
cure for those ailing souls afflicted with love of wealth, who will expend all
their efforts
in order to amass it – not caring whether they earn it in a way permitted by the
Sharee’ah
or in a way not permitted.
So the Muslim should awaken from this negligence which is caused by the
influence of
wealth and status and should not miss the opportunity to Allaah and feel remorse
for
what he has missed before it is too late.
The treatise was previously printed [in Arabic] within Ar-Rasaa’il –
Muneeriyyah which
was published by Muhammad Muneer ad-Dimashqee in the year 1346H. I present it
here afresh, hoping from Allaah, the Most High and the One having full power
that it
will be pleasing to the noble reader.
I have also added footnotes to the ahaadeeth quoted by the author,
rahimahullaah, quoted
their sources and commented upon their level of authenticity as demanded by the
principles of the sciences of hadeeth. So if have attained that which is correct
– then that
is from Allaah, and if I have made any mistake – then that is from me and from
Shaitaan.
I hope from Allaah, the Most High, the One having full power that He will accept our
righteous actions – indeed He is the Trustee of that and has full power over it.
Badr `Abdullah al-Badr
Kuwait
Rabee’uth-Thanee 1401H.
He was the imaam, the haafidh, the great scholar Zaynuddeen `Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Ahmad ibn `Abdir-Rahmaan – known as Rajab as-Salamee, then ad-Dimashqee (from Damascus) – well known as Ibn Rajab.
He was born in the year 736H.
His teachers included: Muhammad ibn Khabbaaz, Ibraaheem ibn Daawood al-`Attaar
and Muhammad ibn al-Qalaanisee and others.
What the scholars have said about him
Ibn Fahd said: “The imaam, the haafidh, the proof, the knowledgeable scholar, the
dependable. One of the scholars who shunned this world, and one of the imaams and
worshippers. Instructive scholars from the scholars of hadeeth, admonisher of the
Muslims.”
As-Suyootee said, “The imaam, the haafidh, the scholar of hadeeth, the admonisher,
Zaynuddeen `Abdur-Rahmaan…”
Ibn Fahd also said, “He was, rahimahullaahu ta`aala, a pious imaam who shunned the
world, hearts inclined towards him with love, and the different sects accepted him. His
sittings for advising the general people were of great benefit and used to open up the
hearts.”
Ibnul-`Imaad al-Hanbalee said, “al-Haafidh Zaynuddeen, Jamaaluddeen, Abul-Faraj,
`Abdur-Rahmaan – The shaikh, the imaam, the scholar, the learned, the one who
shunned this world, the example…”
His works
Al-Istikhraaj fee Ahkaamil-Kharaaj (printed), al-Qawaa’idul-Fiqhiyyah (printed), Dhayl
Tabaqaatul-Hanaabilah (printed), Fadl `Ilmis-Salaf `alaa `Ilmil-Khalaf (printed), Lataa’iful –
Ma`aarif feemaalimawaasimal - `Aam minal Wazaa’if (printed), al-Farq bainan – Naseehah wat
1 Taken from the verifier’s introduction to the book Sharh `Illalit-Tirmidhee of the author – with
abridgement and editing.
8
– Ta`yeer (printed), Sharh Jaami’it – Tirmidhee (lost except for his explanation of al-Illal
from it), Sharh Hadeeth Maa Dhi’baan Jaa`i’aan (this book), and many others.
He passed away in the year 795H.
