People are only ever equal when they are all as ignorant as each other or as bad as each other.
The Economic Crisis [Dunya]
It is reported that Ibrāhīm Al-Taymī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
What a great difference there is between you and those people [of the past, the Salaf]! Worldly wealth came to them but they fled from it, whereas the world turns its back on you and you go after it. Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā`iq article 538. It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said: By Allāh, never was a person given an abundance of worldy wealth and then not feared this might be a plot against him [for his wrongdoing] except a person lacking intelligence and sound opinion. And never has Allāh held back worldy wealth from a person and that person has not thought that a good choice has been made for him except a person who [also] lacks intelligence and sound opinion. Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dham Al-Dunyā article 42.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dham Al-Dunyā article 42.
Also read
Related sayings.
The effect of attitude on the benefit of your wealth.
On gratitude to Allah. Sometimes resources and blessings turn into disaster and loss. One reason for this is narrated from Hasan Al-Basri.