Collection of Jiziyah & An Admonishment by the Holy Prophet (sa) to the People
The Holy Prophet (sa) had entered into a treaty with the people of Bahrain on the condition that they pay the Jizyah [a form of tax levied on the non-Muslims in order to ensure the protection of their rights and safety] and he also appointed Hazrat A‘la (ra) bin Hadhrami as their Governor. The Holy Prophet (sa) sent Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) to collect the Jizyah. Upon learning of his return, many people attended the Fajr prayer the next morning behind the Holy Prophet (sa). When the Holy Prophet (sa) concluded the prayer and looked back, he smiled and said, “It seems that you have come to learn that Abu Ubaidah has brought something back.” They submitted, “Yes, O Messenger (sa) of Allah.” The Holy Prophet (sa) stated, “Rejoice and keep hope of that which is better for you. I do not fear that you will be overcome by a state of dependency, rather I fear that the riches of the world will be bestowed upon you and you will instil an intense desire for its acquisition.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jizyah wa al-Mawada‘ah, Bab Ghazwah al-Jizyah wa al-Mawada‘ah ma‘a Ahl al-Dhimmah wa al-Harb, Hadith 3158)
In other words, the Holy Prophet (sa) feared that the more they immersed themselves in worldly endeavours and were granted the comforts of the world, they would increase in their desire for it and this could become a means of their ruin – this is what the Holy Prophet (sa) feared. He did not fear that they would have a scarcity of provisions, instead he feared lest they became embroiled in material pursuits and develop greed for it which could cause their ruin.
This is an admonishment which every one of us ought to be ever mindful of. And we can see this for ourselves that by disregarding this advice, the majority of Muslims, including its leaders who, upon being granted opulence, have developed an intense greed for wealth and worldly desires. Though they verbally proclaim the name of God, but worldly wealth and glory is their primary objective. Thus, we should always assess our conditions in view of the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (sa) that indeed, we would be granted wealth, but we should not let this be a means of us becoming unmindful of our religious obligations.