Prudent Use of Public Funds

1) Abu al Walid reported: “I heard Khaula bint Qais, (and she was the wife of Hamza b. ‘Abd al Muttalib) saying: ‘I heard the messenger of Allah (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam) saying: ‘This wealth is green and sweet. One who gets it by lawful means is endowed blessings in it. But there are many people who squander away the wealth of Allah and His Messenger in the way they like it. These people will not get anything on the day of Resurrection except fire (of Hell).’”

2) ‘Abdullah b. Zarir reported that he visited Ali b. Abi Talib (Allah be pleased with him). Hasan said it was the day of Adha Then he (‘Ali) served us Khazirah. I said: “May Allah set things right for you.’ Had you served us a turkey or a goose, Allah, the Mighty and Glorious, would have increased the good.” He then said: “O lbn Zarir: I heard Allah’s Messenger (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam) saying: ‘Nothing out of Allah’s Mal (i.e. public property) is lawful for the Caliph except two bowls. In one bowl he and his family will eat and the other one he will place before the people (i.e. his guests)’.”

Source: Economic Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): A Select Anthology of Hadith Literature on Economics, Muhammad Akram Khan. Republished with permission.