Q: Please advise me on the following and how I should respond.
I have been attending a musjid for a considerably long period ever since I moved into the area like 6-7 years. Whilst attending the musjid, nobody was welcoming and friendly. I’m quite wealthy, but I dont like showing of my wealth so I remain as a normal person, no fancy car, everything normal. Actually under normal, you won’t even want a lift in my car.
So after some years, people started to find out that I’m actually wealthy, and now they starting to be friendly, and make conversation. I greet but I feel they only doing this now because they know I’m rich? Specific people have been racist to me straight for 6 years, but when they found out about the companies I own, their attitude changed.
I was brought up to think that its not the wealth or the lineage or race that is important but his belief in Allah Ta’ala and his pious nature. How must I interact with these people because they cleary like me because of money and nothing else. I have been testing them and gave them 6-7 years.
A: Keep a deeni friendship. Don’t let the friendship be affected by wealth.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)