We all know that phrase – money is the root of all evil. That has special meaning here in Bahrain which has the second highest rate of exchange in the whole world. (Kuwait beats it, but barely.) I have ‘leftover’ Canadian dollars. Canadian dollars in case you have never seen them, look like play money. The dollars are plastic and come in different colors. Sort of pretty in a way but, rather useless. I have become a desperate woman because of the inexplicable hold on my credit card rendering it useless. I am desperate for cold, hard cash. Found some but it was Canadian. Eagerly I count it out – WOW, Mashallah! $110.00. Decided that it might be a brilliant idea to exchange it for Bahrain dollars. Discover all of this is possible in this handy dandy hotel.
Me: I have some Canadian money to exchange. $110.00. What do you think I might get in those big Bahrain bucks. Perhaps $3.00
She: No. Slightly more. You will receive $39.20
Me: Thank my lucky stars! I shall take a photo of it. Perhaps I can use it to pay my long distance bill of yesterday – when Chase put me on hold for hours. Promised to call be back and then never did.
She: Maybe. But do not count on it. That was a very long call.
Me: Tell me about it. I have NEVER been so frustrated my whole life. Nothing has been resolved.
The phrase “money is the root of all evil” is a well-known saying that suggests that the love of money or an excessive focus on wealth can lead to negative outcomes, such as greed, selfishness, and unethical behavior.
Muslims are warned in the Quran to be on guard against greed This from zakar.org
- A Muslim should not save and hoard great sums of money, but should distribute it to those who are in need of it.
- It is never acceptable to earn a living by doing wrong. “O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent.” [Quran 4:29]
- Practice charity toward the poor, orphans and those in need.“[True] righteousness is [in] one who believes in God, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives of their wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes Prayer and practices regular charity…” [Quran 2:177]
- Do not fear poverty. God will provide.
In the time before Islam, the pagans would kill their children in fear of poverty. After Islam was introduced, the companions who used to practice this tradition began to abstain from it.
“[D]o not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them,” [Quran 6:151]. Giving of your wealth is the source of true prosperity.
5. “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And God multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And God is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” [Quran 2:261]
Throughout my long life I have not focused on wealth. Instead deciding that I did not want to worry about money, be consumed by it. The poor worry about money, are understandably consumed with worry about it. At the other end of the spectrum the rich worry about money. It is all they think about. They seem to be convinced that money will buy happiness. When they are not happy, rather than examine the reasons why – instead are erroneously convinced that accumulating even more wealth will bring happiness.
We all have heard the saying: Money does not buy happiness. Rather than analyze the saying, instead I offer these quotations. :
- “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can make you awfully comfortable while you’re being miserable.” – Clare Booth Luce
- “Only buy something that you’d be perfectly happy to hold if the market shuts down for ten years.” – Warren Buffet.
- Money can’t buy happiness but neither can poverty.” Leo Rosten
- Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.- Bo Derek
- Money can’t buy happiness, but it does quiet the nerves. – Joe Louis
- “Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money.”
– Jackie Mason
This is not greed, but I received great joy yesterday. For some knowable reason I was examining my bank account. The amount of my monthly retirement benefit deposit caught my eye. Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! I got a five hundred American dollar raise a month. Yes, without even asking! It must be something called COLA – this stands for Cost of Living Allowance which is calculated and enhances my basic retirement benefit. Now IF it were in Bahrain dollars I would be dancing in the streets. It would have to be streets because on this street, there are no sidewalks. One can almost be annihilated walking from one place to another. Yesterday I went to the nearby sushi restaurant Kojo for the most delicious sushi I have ever eaten. And I have eaten some sumptuous sushi during my long life.
Googled Dancing in the Streets. Found a magnificent version song by the Mamas and the Papas in 1966. I am so blessed to have been born when I was (1902 according to Praiseworthy). I was able to experience both the best of times, and unfortunately, the worst of times. The worst of times is upon us with the Gaza genocide. But the best of times was the hope and optimism of the Summer of Love (1967). I was there, working and living within blocks of Haight and Ashbury. Here is the link to the Mamas and Papas version of Dancing in the Streets.
And now, even in the worst of times, I have Allah (SWT) and the hope of Jannah, IF I keep behaving myself. I am motivated and I have the assistance of at least two stellar Muslims.
Stellar is informal meaning exceptionally good; outstanding
Photographs shall be of the mural in Kojo, their sign taken from the menu so of poor quality. A flower display found in Kojo. sushi restaurant. A reel may be attached. An individual who shall remain anonymous sent it to me saying that it reminded him of me. The following conversation took place.
Me: That reminded you of me???
He: I want to do that to all your coffee machines.
Me: I would love it, absolutely love it.
Me: I do not s**t coffee I wish I could
He: Attach the sticker of the guy in all the hotels we have been.
Our conversation deteriorated even further, continuing in laughter.
Me: We bring out the brat in each other.
He: I agree.
By the way, we also fight. Oh my goodness we do. But guess who always wins. ME.
May the best man win is said before a race or competition, meaning that you want the person who is the fastest, strongest, or most skilled to win or succeed. May the best woman succeed is where it is at. Hahaha
