| 1 | O you who believe! Let it be said: Al-Gani; |
| 2 | The greatest Wealth and Splendor; |
| 3 | The most valuable of treasures; |
| 4 | And the seventy-eighth name of Allah, the One, the Absolute, the Almighty. |
| 5 | Let it be said for all their wickedness, the Persians are not so ignorant to what is of greatest value. |
| 6 | Thus, wealth and splendor distinguish men, not for their presence, but for what it reveals as to character. |
| 7 | The merchants are not so dangerous for their perceived wealth of riches and finery, but for the knowledge of the world they possess. |
| 8 | Ignorant and immoral men may kill a caravan, seizing their cargo and burn their books and manuscripts; |
| 9 | Yet a wise man knows that spices and fabrics can be replaced, but the written word and knowledge of an interpreter of a caravan is worth ten times in ransom. |
| 10 | The Umay-Yad reveal themselves as monkeys with swords, that swarm upon the land, breaking and destroying everything. |
| 11 | They shall burn out, like fire after drought, until they feed upon their own. |
| 12 | Thus, when the ancients speak of wealth and splendor, it is to knowledge, not gold. |
| 13 | Riches are found not from an abundance of animals, servants and land but from an educated mind. |
| 14 | Yet do not be fooled by those zealots who curse the very needs of community and prosperity; |
| 15 | Do not be tricked by those Christians preachers celebrating their filth and speaking of inheritable curse and damnation. |
| 16 | It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path which leads to bliss, simply because he carries too much baggage. |
| 17 | Whoever desires in modesty the world and its riches, in a lawful manner, |
| 18 | In order to withhold himself from begging, |
| 19 | And for a livelihood for his family, |
| 20 | And for being kind to his neighbor, |
| 21 | Will come to Allah with his face bright as the full moon. |
| 22 | Therefore, do not disregard wealth but view it as a solemn responsibility. |
| 23 | A wealthy man’s first obligation given his wealth, |
| 24 | Is not only to provide for his family but to his community. |
| 25 | That it may prosper and then to the region that it may prosper. |
| 26 | Instead, a man who destroys a thing of value does not honor the Divine, but show reckless disregard to the gifts given unto him. |
| 27 | Therefore, be not obsessed in riches, nor disrespectful to prosperity. |
| 28 | A wealthy man who does not attend to his own community, |
| 29 | Is a disgrace in the eyes of Allah. |
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Sufa 108 - The Wealth (Al-Gani)