Poverty is a heavy burden to bear, but in Islam, it is never an insurmountable hardship. Believers turn to du’a (prayer) to ask Allah to relieve them from such a difficult situation. The du’a against poverty is an act of faith based on the belief that Allah is the only one who can transform our hardships into blessings. However, beyond prayer, it is also essential to take practical steps to understand the causes of poverty and act to remedy them, particularly through knowledge and self-improvement.
In this article, we will explore Qur’anic verses and authentic hadiths encouraging believers to pray for sustenance, seek knowledge, and strengthen their faith to overcome poverty. Additionally, we will highlight the resources provided by Al-Dirassa Institute for French speakers to deepen their understanding of Islam and the Arabic language.
The Qur’an teaches us that poverty is one of the trials that believers may face in this life. However, each difficulty is accompanied by an opportunity to grow closer to Allah, and poverty should never be viewed as a finality.
“مَّا تَنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَلِأَنفُسِكُمْ”
(Surah 2, Al-Baqara, verse 272)
“Whatever you spend for good, it returns to you.”
This verse highlights that both wealth and poverty come from the will of Allah, and it is important to accept these realities while seeking to change our situation positively.
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Du’a is an essential practice in Islam, and several hadiths report specific prayers to recite when asking Allah to relieve poverty. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“اللهم إني أعوذ بك من الفقر، والمخيلة، والذلة، والمسكنة”
(Sahih Muslim)
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from poverty, scarcity, humiliation, and misery.”
This hadith shows the importance of seeking Allah’s assistance for a change in circumstance. Moreover, this du’a reminds believers that their fate is never solely in their hands, but that Allah can change everything through His mercy and justice.
Another powerful means of overcoming poverty, according to Islamic teachings, is Al-Istighfar — seeking forgiveness from Allah for our sins. Islam teaches that seeking Allah’s forgiveness is a source of blessings, and it opens the doors to prosperity and abundance. In the Qur’an, Allah reminds us that divine forgiveness is linked to wealth and well-being:
“فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا لِرَبِّكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارًۭا * يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًۭا * وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍۢ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ أَنْهَٰرًۭا”
(Surah 71, Nuh, verses 10-12)
“And I said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever Forgiving. He will send rain from the sky upon you in showers and give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and rivers.'”
This verse clearly demonstrates that seeking Allah’s forgiveness is tied to an increase in material and spiritual blessings. By sincerely asking for forgiveness, we open the path to barakah (blessing) in our lives, including in our finances. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said:
“من لزم الاستغفار جعل الله له من كل ضيق مخرجًا ومن كل هم فرجًا ورزقه من حيث لا يحتسب”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith no. 1518)
“Whoever adheres to seeking forgiveness, Allah will make a way for him out of every difficulty, a relief for every worry, and provide him with sustenance from places he never expected.”
Thus, Istighfar becomes a powerful spiritual practice that not only purifies the heart but also attracts blessings into our lives. By seeking forgiveness from Allah and humbling ourselves before our mistakes, we can be assured that Allah’s mercy will guide us toward prosperity, both spiritually and materially.
However, prayer alone is not enough. Islam also teaches that we must be diligent in our actions and not rely solely on waiting for divine intervention. The pursuit of knowledge, seeking lawful work, supporting the needy through charity, and asking forgiveness for our sins are all recommended means to improve our situation.
The famous scholar Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“الفقر فقر القلوب. والبحث عن العلم والعمل به دواء لهذه الحالة”
(Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, Madarij as-Salikin)
“Poverty is the poverty of the heart. Seeking knowledge and applying it is an effective remedy for this condition.”
This emphasizes the importance of focusing on education and learning as a lever to overcome poverty, both spiritually and materially. In this regard, Al-Dirassa Institute offers online courses to help English speakers deepen their understanding of the Arabic language, Islamic teachings, and the Qur’an.
2012, Al-Dirassa Institute has been offering personalized online courses for individuals eager to learn Arabic (classical, professional, Egyptian dialect) and study Islam in depth. Learning Arabic not only enables a better understanding of the Qur’an and hadiths but also equips individuals with useful skills in a professional context.
The courses are tailored to each need, whether for in-depth Islamic studies, religious education, or Qur’an memorization. Indeed, Qur’an memorization, which is highly encouraged in Islam, is a powerful means of strengthening faith and receiving barakah (blessing) in life.
“إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ سِرًّا وَجَهْرًا”
(Surah 2, Al-Baqara, verse 3)
“Those who recite the Book of Allah, establish the prayer, and spend of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly.”
Al-Dirassa Institute allows every student to benefit from customized training, provided by qualified instructors, to help them grow intellectually and contribute to building a better society.
In conclusion, poverty is not an end in itself, but a trial that every Muslim must overcome with patience, perseverance, and faith. By resorting to du’a, actively seeking lawful ways to improve our situation, and elevating ourselves through knowledge, we can find inner peace and material prosperity. Al-Dirassa Institute stands alongside French speakers seeking knowledge by offering Arabic, Islamic studies, and Qur’an memorization courses to strengthen their faith and their situation.
Join us today to explore our online courses and begin deepening your knowledge for a more fulfilling life, both spiritually and materially. Sign up now to benefit from our expertise and change your life through the teachings of Islam and the Arabic language.
To know more: What is Sadaqah in Islam? Meaning, Types, and Benefits
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