Money or Knowledge?

i use this analogy whenever this topic comes up.




Imagine a racetrack. with money, you can drive the most powerful car on the track. with knowledge, you're bestowed the ability to push the car you're given to its very limit.

which would you rather have? or what has been your experience?

Knowledge is a very liberating thing. Money, on the other hand can be argued to buy the knowledge.

Both are not mutually exclusive of each other but let's say you pursue knowledge, what happens when your work sector is out of demand, and you're out of a job? why don't all scholars get free education? the society still requires you to have money regardless as the fundamental resource in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

If you only had money but no knowledge, (e.g. inheritance) it may be a case of easy come, easy go. sure, you can hire a financial planner but what if you even lack that?

definitely an interesting topic that comes up in everyones mind once in a while!

a good article on the topic from an Islamic view
http://www.inter-islam.org/Lifestyle/moneyknow.htm

" Once a person came to Hadhrat Ali Radhiallaho Anhu and questioned him, “What shall I gain; knowledge or wealth?” Hadhrat Ali Radhiallaho Anhu answered “Gain knowledge because it is more beneficial then gaining wealth”. The person then asked for some benefits of gaining Knowledge over wealth, Hadhrat Ali Radhiallaho Anhu replied:

• Knowledge is the inheritance of the Prophets (alayhisalaam), and wealth is the inheritance of Fir'awn (Pharaoh) and Qaroon,

• The more knowledge you gain, the more beloved you become in the eyes of people and the more wealth you gain, the more people hate you out of jealousy…

• As time passes, the value of money decreases and the value of knowledge increases,

• Wealth needs to be looked after, whereas knowledge protects you,

• You will always fear the theft of money, but knowledge cannot be stolen from the heart,

• On the Day of Judgement, Allah Taa'la will ask you two questions regarding your wealth; how it was earned and how it was spent. These are two separate questions regarding Wealth whereas one question regarding knowledge will be asked: How much you acted upon it,

• Knowledge helps you gain money but money cannot buy you knowledge,

• Excess money brings pride.

The moral of this topic is not so that one stops earning so that he may gain knowledge, as to earn for one's family is equally as important. The main point is to recognise that excess money could ruin you in this world, and in the next. Also, if you can take some time out and study the Deen (Religion) of Allah Taa'la, Inshallah it will be of great benefit in both worlds."