Wealth is not just a bank balance and property, but it has many faces and features. Some of them are as follows.

WEALTH IS BLESSING OF ALLAH

Few verses from the holy Quran related to wealth;
“And whatever khair (wealth) you spend for Allah, Allah knows it well.
“It is compulsory for you to make will before your death. So that if you leave behind khair (wealth), it should be correctly distributed among parents and relatives. It is a must for those who fear Allah. (2:180)
“ O Muhammad (SAW), People ask you where they should spend. Tell them whatever khair (wealth) you want to spend, spend it for you parents, relatives, orphans and poor people of society and travellers. And whatever good deeds you will do, Allah knows it. (2:215)
In the above few verses of the holy Qu’ran Allah has refered to wealth as “khair”. Khair in Arabic means noble deed, attaining excellence, favour. In short is the blessing of Allah.


WHY SHOULD WE EARN MONEY?

“When you finish your prayer, get dispersed on land and search for my blessing (travel on land for earning money)”. (62:10)
According to hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA), Prophet Mohammad (SAW), said, “after obeying compulsory religious commandments of Allah (that is Namaz, Fasting, Zakaat, Hajj), earning money by right means ( to fulfil our basic necessity of life is compulsory for every individual.” i.e house, food,clothes, education are some of the sic necessities of every human being.
So, in the light of the above mentioned Qur’anic verse and noble tradition, it is clear that earning money is compulsory for every individual for fulfilling his own as well as family’s need and if possible helping the needy for the sake of Allah.

HOW SHOULD WE EARN MONEY

Once a companion of the Prophet (SAW) shook his hand with him. The Prophet (saw) felt hard skin os palm and inquiry about it. The companion said it was due to hard work for earning the daily bread for his family. Prophet (saw) kissed his hand and appreciated him. ( Abu Dawood, Islamiyaat 37)
Hazrat Sumayyah bin Umair (RA) said, once people asked Prophet Mohammad (SAW), “Whihc earning the best earning?” Prophet (saw) replird, “The earning which you earn by your own hands, and earning through all business; but which do not involve disobedience of Allah.

IMPORTANCE OF WEALTH IN THIS ERA
A Tabaeen Hazrat Abu Bakr bin abi Maryam (R) says, “The companion of hazrat Mohammad (saw) Hazrat Maqdaam bin Maadi Kaab (RA) was the owner of many cattles. His maid use to milk the cattle and use to sale in the market and Maqdaam (RA) used to collect the income.
Many people considered this bad and was surprised on the behaviour of hazrat Maqdaam (RA). They were expecting that either Hazrat Maqdaam (RA) donate milk to relatives or should let his maid keep the income. Hazrat Maqdaam (RA) defended his behaviour and said that there is nothing wrong in selling my own commodity and earning money, because rophet (saw) had said. “An era will come in which only money will serve your purpose.”
(Musnad Ahmed, Mar’iful Ahadeeth Vol. 7, pg 66)

Hazrat Sufyan Souree (RA) said that, in the period of Prophet (saw) and caliphs, wealth was not a desired thing. But in this era wealth is a shield a righteous person (believer), because without money, the king and royal families will make us their cleaning duster.(They will exploit us for their wrong purpose). So a person should try to increase his wealth in righteous way, because if a person becomes poor the first thing he compromises on is his faith in Allah. (Mishkaat Zaah 89)



EARNING MONEY FOR RIGHT CAUSE IS AN EIBADAH (PRAYER)

Hazrat Kaab bin Agrah (RA) said, “Once a person passed in hurry iin front of Hazrat Mohammad (Saw) and his companions. That Person was making good efforts to earn his bread butter and was very sincere about his business.
Companions of Prophet (SAW) said, “O messenger of Allah (saw), this person is so serious about his earning and making so much effort for it. If he had used his efforts and sincerity for noble cause of Allah, it would have been much netter for him.
To this the messenger of Allah (saw) said, “If he is earning to feed his children, his effort will be counted as a struggle for noble cause of Allah. If he is earning to look after his old parents, then also his struggle will be counted as a struggle for noble cause. If he is earning so that he need not beg to feed himself, then also his earnings and hard struggle will be counted as a struggle for noble cause of Allah. But if he is earning and increasing wealth so that he can show his prosperity and prove his superiority over others, then such struggle is wrong and will be counted as a struggle for wrong cause of devil (satan).”



BLESSINGS OF EARNING HONESTLY

Noble messenger of Allah (saw) said “Honest traders will be in the category of messengers, saints and martyrs on day of judgement.” – Bukhari & Muslim

According to Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) Hazrat Mohammad (saw) said, “if a person earns money to avoid beggg and to fulfil needs of his family, to help neighbour, then face of such a person will glow lik the moon of 14th night on judgement day (Mazgharul Haque – Asaan Rizq pg.12)

Hence if we do our business or earn in accordance to the divine instruction, our every act will be recorded as worship. ( Mariful Ahadeeth, Vol. 7 Pg.64)

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DONT EARN HONESTLY?

Allah is great and pure, free from any short comings, needs etc. For Him the acceptable is pure and nothing else.
The Prophet (saw) said Allah ahs ordered believers same commandments which He has ordered to messengers. Allah’s commandments for the messengers are “O you messenger! Eat of the good things and act righteously.’
( 23:51).

The almightly has also said “O manking eat of which is lawful and good on the earth (2:168)

The above verses throw light on the importance of earning halaal and keeping safe distance from haraam.

Hazrat Anas (RA) asked Prophet (saw) to pray for him so that he may become “Mustajibut Dawaat” ( a person whose prayers and supplications are accepted) Prophet (saw) replied, Yaa Anas! Earn halal and honest living, Allah will grant you whatever you ask for. Keep away for Haraam food, because even a single morsel of i.e small bite of haraam food, invalidates supplications. (At – targheeb)

Haraam food extinguishes light of imaan, and the heart becomes dark. It makes man dull, lethargic and inactive. It leads to corrupt and evil thoughts.