The Interpretation of Poverty

Bihar al-Anwar: ‘It is narrated in the scriptures of Prophet Enoch (AS) [Prophet Enoch (AS) is known as Idris in the Arabic tradition (ed.)]: There is no wealth with those who are not in need of Me, and there is no poverty for those who are in want of Me.

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘O people! … Who are the utterly destitute? They said, ‘A person who does not have any money. He said, ‘No, rather the real destitute is he who has not offered any of his money regarding it to be for Allah, even though he has a lot more after that.

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘[True] Poverty is the poverty of the heart.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There is no poverty like ignorance.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The greatest of poverty is stupidity.

Imam Ali (AS), when asked what was the severest of poverty, said, ‘Disbelief after faith.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Poverty of the soul is the most evil poverty.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Wealth and poverty come after submission to Allah.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There will remain no poverty after Heaven, and no wealth after the Hellfire.

Imam Hasan (AS), when asked about poverty, said, ‘It is the greed of the self for everything.

Imam al-Hadi (AS) said, ‘Poverty is the greed of the self and the extremity of despair.