THE RESTORATION OF WEALTH

As Muslims, we all know (or should know) that the preservation of wealth (hifg al-mdl) is among the injunctions of the Holy Qur’an, and one of the five maqdsid or over—riding objectives of the Revealed Law (al—shari‘ah). But what is the definition of wealth? How is it defined the way it has been defined by the fuqahd’ and ‘ulamd’ , and why? How do we actually go about implementing the principle of wealth preservation in all our social and commercial activities and transactions? What is the whole purpose of this preservation anyway? The disceming and reflective reader will find answers to these and many other related questions by reading and studying the pages of this translation of the hadiths and reports on how the Prophet—Allah’s blessing and peace be on him—and his Companions, the Followers and the Pious Predecessors have approached the twin questions of wealth and poverty. The answers, or at least, insights, acquired will hopefully go a long way towards putting wealth back onto its proper place in the service of Right Livelihood for the Common Good. BY A1-Imim ‘Abdullih ibn Muhammad Abfi Bakr

IBN ABI AL-DUNYA Translated, annotated and introduced by NICHOLAS MAHDI LOCK ADI SETIA PUBLISHED BY BANK ISLAM