Ever heard that you can actually get rewards just by… planning your finances? Yep, even before a single dollar’s spent, the rewards are already rolling in. Cool, right?
Imagine: you are scribbling numbers on paper or an application. The money hasn’t arrived yet, not even a single rupiah has gone out but Allah ﷺ has given you a note of reward because of your intention. If you skip it, it feels like there is a golden gift that you just rejected. How come?
Yes, it’s true. Sometimes we think rewards only come from big things: large almsgiving, special acts of worship, or deeds that seem “wow.” However, it turns out that even small intentions written down in a financial plan can be directly recorded as rewards by Allah ﷻ .
Unfortunately, many of us are lazy about making plans. The money just flows without direction, never thinking about where to use it. In fact, there is actually a big opportunity for rewards there too.
It’s a Big Loss if You Don’t Make a Financial Plan
Imagine, there’s a great reward that Allah ﷻ gives just for good intentions. You don’t have to wait for the money to come out, you don’t have to wait for action to take place, even if you haven’t even had the chance to implement it, the reward is already written. But sadly, many of us waste this opportunity because of one simple thing: never making a financial plan .
Even though the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had reminded us in the hadith:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ ثُمَّ بَيَّنَ ذَلِكَ، فَمَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةً كَامِلَةً
“Indeed, Allah has determined (rewards) for good and (sin) for evil, then Allah explained them. So whoever intends to do good but has not had time to do it, Allah still writes down for him a perfect reward for good.” (Hadith from Bukhari & Muslim )
See? Just your intention is already recorded as a reward. So when we make a simple note like, “This month, I’ll set aside this amount for charity,” or “I’ll set aside some of my salary to help my parents,” it’s immediately recorded as a perfect good deed.
Even before the money actually comes out, the rewards have already arrived. It would be a huge loss if we didn’t take advantage of this golden opportunity.
Also read: The Attitude of Muslims Amid Chaos
Not Just Managing Money, But Good Intentions
Many people think budgeting is complicated, it seems like it’s only for people who are super frugal or perfectionists. In fact, if you intend it right, managing your money can be a form of worship.
For example, we intend to set aside money for monthly charity. Even though it’s not yet time to give charity, the intention and the allocation of the money are already recorded as a good deed .
Likewise, if we intend to prepare savings for family needs, so as not to burden others in the future, that is also a reward, because the intention is to protect ourselves from debt and fulfill our obligations as breadwinners.
Allah ﷻ says:
وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ ٌ
“And whatever wealth you spend, then surely Allah is All-Knowing.” ( Quran Surah Al-Baqarah verse 273 )
This means that Allah ﷻ knows our every intention regarding wealth. Even before the wealth is spent, the mere record of our intentions is valuable.
Also read: Islamic Solidarity in Hard Times
Learning from the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ
When it comes to financial planning, we can learn a lot from Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). In the book Al-Farooq: Hayat Umar ibn al-Khattab by Dr. Muhammad Husain Haekal (Dar al-Ma’arif, 1994), it recounts how Umar established the Baitul Mal (treasury) and established a systematic and fair distribution system for wealth.
Caliph Umar never allowed the people’s wealth to lie idle or accumulate in vain. There was a designated area for everything: for the poor, for the needs of jihad, and even for public interests like development.
What’s truly impressive is that Umar is incredibly careful to ensure every asset goes to the right place. He always thinks ahead, “Who will benefit from this asset?” So, planning isn’t just about numbers on a dime, but a significant trust that must be accounted for.
Also read: How to Prioritize The Productivity Tools
Examples of Relatability in Today’s Times
Well, to make it easier to imagine, try looking at this everyday example:
Office employees who create special posts to help parents every month. Even though the salary will only be disbursed in two weeks, once there is a note of intention, the reward will arrive first.
A small trader who sets aside a portion of their daily income for the mosque’s charity box. Even though it hasn’t been distributed yet, the donation has already become a reward.
A freelancer who created a separate account for her child’s education fund. Even though her child is still young and hasn’t even started school yet, her noble intention has already been recognized by Allah ﷻ .
If other people are busy spending money without direction, we can actually get rewards just from planning intention . Imagine, what a loss it would be if we missed this opportunity.
Also read: The Power of Habits for Stable Financial Growth
Losing in this world and the hereafter if you are lazy about making plans
Let’s be honest, how many people don’t know how many people have finished their salary, only to realize, “Eh, how come there isn’t any left for alms?” or “Why aren’t your savings increasing?”
Well, this is a twofold loss. First, it wreaks havoc on our worldly finances. Second, in the afterlife, we lose the rewards that could have been gained from intentional planning.
It’s a shame, isn’t it? All they need is intention and a few notes, but many people choose the quick path, which ultimately leads to losses.
Conclusion, Let’s Start Now
Financial planning isn’t just about creating tables or notes in an app. It’s more than that, it’s an act of worship if we have the right intentions. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has given us the good news: even good intentions are recorded as a complete reward.
So, don’t waste this golden opportunity. The money hasn’t been spent yet, but the rewards are already flowing. Start with small things: create a budget for basic necessities, charity, savings, or helping your parents.
Our lives will become more focused, our finances more secure, and rewards will, God willing, flow abundantly once the plan is made. It would be a real shame if we don’t start now. Let’s plan!
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Reference
Al-Qur’an, Al-Karim.
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari , Hadith No. 6491. Accessed from https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6491
Muslim bin al-Hajjaj. Sahih Muslim , Hadith No. 131. Accessed from https://sunnah.com/muslim:131
Haekal, Muhammad Husain. Al-Farooq: The Life of Umar ibn al-Khattab . Cairo: Dar al-Ma’arif, 1994.
