Christian and Muslim teachings on wealth and poverty

On a number of occasions Jesus taught that people should not pursue wealth but should try to make themselves richer in spiritual things – ‘Do not store up for yourself for treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasure in heaven.’ Matthew 6:19-20.

The Christian church has always taught that Christians have a duty to make money to provide for the poor. Christians should work honestly and fairly and never try to cheat customers.

Islam teaches that wealth is something given by God for the benefit of humanity and is therefore something to be shared. Islam has always taught that a Muslim has a duty to make money for themselves and their family. Muslims must only gain money in lawful and moral ways and they should work honestly and fairly at all times.

Islam teaches that God made Adam as his khalifah (steward) to look after the earth for him. This means that Muslims not only have to look after themselves but also other people on the earth. Looking after people on earth means making sure that the good things of the earth are shared out fairly.

This is very important because all Muslims believe that at the end of the world they will be judges by God on how well they have performed as his stewards. In Islam the sharing of wealth is not a choice it is something commanded by God in the religious pillar of Zakah. There’s a hadith that says, ‘Protect your property by giving Zakah and help your relatives to recover from disease by giving to charity.’

Muslims pay Zakah annually on the basis of two and a half percent of all their savings and income above the level needed to keep their family going. They also pay a special Zakah to the poor on the festival of Id-Ul-Fit’r.