What did al-Ghazali say about wealth?
Al-Ghazali refused both extremes. Wealth, he wrote, is a tool — dangerous like a sword, useful like a ladder. His chapter on earning is one of the most sober financial advice ever written in Islamic history.
10 passages from 4 books in the library
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 4 books by Imam al-Ghazali and Ibn Battuta — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"The sign of renunciation is the equal regard for poverty and wealth, honor and humiliation, praise and blame, due to the prevailing intimacy with God."
14th century · Tangier, Morocco
The Riḥlah — a 30-year, 75,000-mile journey across three continents, and the most important travel account of the pre-modern world.
More on Ibn Battuta →
· Provenance →
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"When someone from the Berbers dies in their lands, they do not interfere with their wealth, even vast treasures, leaving it to a trustworthy Berber to return to its rightful heir."
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"However, Imad al-Mulk, the emir of Sindh, later reported to the Sultan that Hood and his family were amassing wealth for personal indulgence without hosting anyone at the lodge."
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"He had a brother in this city with substantial wealth who left young children under his care, and I left him preparing to take them to Baghdad."
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"In the custom of the Indian people, much like the Sudanese, they do not touch the wealth of the deceased, even if it amounts to thousands,"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"If someone requests money in a public setting, causing embarrassment to refuse, wishing the request had been made in private, but instead fears the shame of people's reproach,"
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"Extortion involves physical torment, making it a stronger pain than the mental anguish of parting with money, leading one to choose the lesser pain."
14th century · Tangier, Morocco
The Riḥlah — a 30-year, 75,000-mile journey across three continents, and the most important travel account of the pre-modern world.
More on Ibn Battuta →
· Provenance →
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"When Khalil's power became substantial, he turned against the ruler of Herat, who had initially established him on the throne and sent him troops and wealth."
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"He would buy a garment for 10 dinars but tell me he bought it for 8, charging me only 8 dinars and covering the remaining 2 from his own money."
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"But remembering a friend among the money changers, he turned to him, explained the situation, and received a loan to repay the merchant."
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