Which One Are You?
The Prophet sulAllâhu 'alayhi wassalam said:
“There are only four kinds of people in this world:
(The first is) a slave whom Allâh has blessed with wealth and knowledge, and he fears Allâh with regard to them, and uses them to uphold family ties, and acknowledges the rights that Allâh has over them. He has the highest status.
(The second is) a slave to whom Allâh has given knowledge, but not wealth. His intention is sincere, and he says, ‘If only I had wealth, I would do (good deeds) like so-and-so (the first slave).’ He will be rewarded according to his intention, so their reward will be equal.
(The third is) a slave to whom Allâh has given wealth, but not knowledge. He spends his money aimlessly, neither fearing Allâh with regard to it nor using it to uphold family ties nor acknowledging the rights that Allâh has over it. He has the lowest status.
(The fourth is) a slave to whom Allâh has given neither wealth nor money. He says, ‘If only I had wealth, I would do (bad deeds) like so-and-so (the third slave). He will be punished according to his intention, so their burden of sin will be equal.”
(Reported by Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi, and classed as sahîh in Al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1/9).