The Reality of Money

Money Matters: A Reflection on Modern Values

In January 2024, during one of my lectures at Manara International School in Başakşehir, Istanbul, I had a deep and meaningful discussion with my grade 12 students about life, success, and the role of money. These students, standing at the threshold of practical life, are eager to understand what lies ahead. It was during this lecture that an important truth about modern society emerged, one that I felt compelled to share.

The Conversation Begins

I started by addressing a common phrase we often hear: "Money doesn’t matter." While it may sound virtuous, I pointed out that this statement is far from the reality we live in today. I told them, "Money matters. Money is everything." My words startled the students, and their reactions were immediate.

Curious and somewhat confused, they asked me why I was saying such a thing. I then posed a question to them: "What is success?" Most of their answers revolved around one idea: becoming rich.

“Success is about getting rich,” they said confidently.

Hearing their unanimous response, I nodded and told them, "Now let’s go deeper into this idea of success."

The Reality of Money

I explained that the Almighty God did not send us to this world merely to accumulate wealth. Life is meant to be lived according to the rules set out in the Quran. Yet, in today’s world, we associate almost everything—happiness, relationships, and honor—with money.

I went on to say, “When we prioritize wealth above all else, we begin to weigh people not by their character, values, or contributions to society, but by how much money they have. A person’s wealth now determines their status and influence, regardless of their morality or behavior.”

This led me to a bold statement: "Money is God."

The classroom fell silent. The students looked at me in shock, some exclaiming, “Astaghfirullah, Sir! Why are you saying this?”

A Lesson in Faith

I clarified my point. "The reason I say this," I told them, "is because we have started treating money as if it is the ultimate power. We associate success and happiness with wealth. We measure relationships and respect by financial standing. When we do this, we unconsciously replace the Almighty God with money in our hearts."

I reminded them that this mindset is a form of shirk—the act of associating partners with Allah, the greatest sin in Islam. "We have made money our god," I said. "And this is a dangerous path."

A Moment of Reflection

As the discussion continued, I saw the realization dawn upon their faces. They began to understand the weight of my words. By the end of the lecture, they agreed with the perspective I had shared. It was a moment of collective reflection—not just for them, but for me as well.

The Takeaway

The purpose of sharing this incident is to highlight the importance of aligning our lives with true values. Money, while necessary, should never take precedence over faith, character, and purpose. As a society, we need to re-evaluate what we define as success and ensure that our priorities do not lead us astray.

The Almighty has blessed us with resources to live a balanced life, not one solely driven by the pursuit of wealth. Let’s strive to remember this truth and teach it to the next generation, so they can lead lives that are meaningful, fulfilling, and true to their Creator’s guidance.