Q: The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made dua: "O Allaah, cause me to live poor and cause me to die poor, and gather me among the poor on the Day of Resurrection". He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) also also said: "The poor will enter Jannah 500 years before the rich." However on the other hand, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made dua: "O Allah give me the best of this world and the best of the hereafter," and they also said "Seek refuge with Allah from poverty, want and humiliation, and from wronging others or being wronged.
My question is that should we make dua from Allah to make us live poor and die poor so that we enter 500 years before the majority of the ummah?
A: Best is not what you think is best, rather what Allah Ta`ala feels is best. Poor doesn't mean that you are in need of any person's generosity and assistance. It refers to you not having a lavish lifestyle and by the same token leading a simple life.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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