Wealth is a Trial

From the weaknesses of human beings pointed out by Allah in the Qur'aan, is the love for wealth.

He said: "And you love wealth with excessive love." [Soorah al-Fajr (89): 20] 

And: "Verily he (man) is violent in the love of wealth." [Soorah al-Aadiyat (100): 8] 

He also warned, saying: "Your wealth and your children may be but a trial."[Soorah Taghabun (64): 15]

The Messenger of Allah  said: "Every Ummah (nation) has a test to undergo, my Ummah (nation) will be tried through wealth." [at-Tirmidhee no: 481]

The Qur'aan narrates a parable of a virtuous man, whom Allah had granted abundance in wealth. He owned a valuable garden; after deducing the household and agricultural expenses from his income, he would spend the remaining money in charity.

When he died, his sons considered their father to be a simpleton for giving away such large amount of money in charity and thus decided to hold back the entire profit. When the garden was ready to be harvested, they planned to secretly carry all the produce to their homes without anybody knowing.

The next day, as they approached the garden, they were astonished to see the fresh and blooming garden completely laid waste and it was only their garden which was in ruins!! "They said: 'Alas for us! We have indeed transgressed!" [Soorah al-Qalam (68): 31] 

and Allah declares: "Such is the punishment (in this life); but greater is the punishment in the Hereafter!" [Soorah al-Qalam (68): 33]

Similarly, many people ruin their faith and fidelity merely due to the greed of wealth. This love of wealth creates in man evil instincts, miserliness, selfishness and arrogance, which in turn involve him in sins, falsehood, deceit, cruelty and robbery. This causes disorder and destruction in the world and the Hereafter is lost too!! 

The concept of Zakaah is to decrease the love of wealth and inculcate justice, generosity, brotherhood, affection and sacrifice among the Muslims and thus Allah says: "By no means shall you attain righteousness (and reward) unless you spend of that which you love." [Soorah al-Imraan (3): 92]