40 Common Misconceptions About Poverty Debunked

Debunking Myths: 40 Misconceptions About Poverty and Their Origins

40 Misconceptions about Poverty among the Public

A post has been circulating on social media for several months, claiming that poverty enters the home through forty specific actions. Let’s explore these matters.

(1) Urinating in the bath:

The Prophet ﷺ prohibited urinating in the bath, but at that time, baths were made of earth. Nowadays, bathrooms are made of solid materials, so urinating in them is permissible. There is no saying from the Prophet ﷺ that urinating in the bath causes poverty. This statement, falsely attributed to Ali رضي الله عنه, is a fabrication.

(2) Combing with a broken comb:

The Prophet ﷺ commanded, “Whoever has hair should honor it.” (Abu Dawood, Book of Combing). This hadith suggests that one should groom their hair, whether using a broken or intact comb, as long as it is functional. Using a broken comb does not bring poverty.

(3) Using broken items:

If a broken item is still functional, it is permissible to use it. There is a narration from Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها, who served food to the Prophet ﷺ and his companions in a large dish. The wife at whose house the Prophet (ﷺ) was, struck the hand of the servant, causing the dish to fall and break. The Prophet ﷺ held the broken parts together and said twice, “Your mother (my wife) felt jealous.” Then, he exchanged Aisha’s dish with Umm Salamah’s. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5225). 

(4) Keeping trash at home:

There is no harm in gathering household trash in a corner and disposing of it when it accumulates. One precaution is to avoid wasting leftover food, giving it to someone instead. The notion that keeping trash at home causes poverty is falsely attributed to Ali رضي الله عنه.

(5) Mistreating relatives:

There is no specific saying of the Prophet ﷺ that mistreating relatives causes poverty. However, numerous texts indicate that sins and disobedient acts result in reduced sustenance.

(6) Wearing pants starting with the left foot:

This likely means starting with the left side while putting on pants. The Prophet ﷺ preferred the right side for honorable actions. Thus, beginning with the right is better, but starting with the left incurs no sin or poverty.

(7) Sleeping between Maghrib and Isha:

Sleeping between Maghrib and Isha is disliked, as it may lead to missing the Isha prayer. The Prophet ﷺ discouraged sleeping before Isha and talking after it. If necessary, one may occasionally sleep in this time as long as they pray Isha before midnight.

(8) Being displeased with guests:

Islam encourages hospitality. Do not show displeasure at the arrival of guests. Hospitality is obligatory for travelers and a kindness for residents. One incurs sin only if obligatory hospitality is neglected.

(9) Spending beyond one’s means:

This can be termed as foolishness, ignorance, or a significant mistake.

(10) Biting bread with teeth:

Biting bread with teeth does not cause poverty. If it did, there would be no wealthy people, as most eat by biting. While bread can be torn by hand, many foods are commonly bitten. Using a knife with meals is a recent practice, especially in cities.

(11) Keeping pubic hair longer than forty days:

One should trim pubic hair within forty days, as the Prophet ﷺ prescribed this limit. Delaying beyond it is against the Sunnah.

(12) Biting nails with teeth:

There is no prohibition in Islam against biting nails with teeth, though Islam promotes hygiene. Avoid it if medically harmful, as nails carry dirt, and biting them may be unclean, especially in front of others.

(13) Wearing pants while standing:

You can wear pants while standing or sitting, whichever is easier. There is no sin or poverty associated with it in Islamic teachings.

(14) Women tying their hair while standing:

This is not an issue. The only concern is that a woman should not tie her hair in front of non-mahram men. She may tie it standing, sitting, or lying down.

(15) Stitching torn clothes while wearing them:

If convenient, one may mend torn clothes while wearing them. Otherwise, it should be removed as necessary.

(16) Sleeping until after sunrise:

One should wake up early, perform Fajr prayer, and then seek sustenance. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever prays Fajr is under Allah’s protection.” (Muslim: 657). Regularly missing prayer and waking up late leads to failure, as one loses the protection of Allah.

(17) Urinating under a tree:

Urinating or defecating under any shade, including that of a tree, is prohibited. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Beware of two things that bring curses: relieving oneself in the people’s path or their shade.” (Muslim). A narration from Tabarani regarding urinating under a fruit-bearing tree is weak, but fruit-bearing trees are generally shaded, so it applies.

(18) Talking in the restroom:

Talking while relieving oneself is prohibited. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Two men should not go out to relieve themselves, exposing their private parts while conversing, for Allah dislikes that.” (Sahih al-Targheeb by Al-Albani: 155). This prohibition applies when two men are together and uncovered, but there is no restriction on speaking before or after using the restroom.

(19) Sleeping on the stomach:

Sleeping on the stomach is disliked due to its resemblance to the posture of Hell-dwellers and potential health issues. Allah says, “{The Day they will be dragged in the Fire on their faces (it will be said to them): “Taste you the touch of Hell!”}” (Al-Qamar: 48). The Prophet ﷺ said, “Indeed, this is a way of lying down that Allah dislikes, meaning lying on the stomach.” (Sahih al-Jami’: 2271). Sleeping on the stomach has no connection to poverty.

(20) Laughing in the Cemetery:

A cemetery is a place where one should remember the afterlife, so laughing there is considered undesirable. However, if one laughs unintentionally while speaking or otherwise, there is no harm, and it will not impact one’s sustenance.

(21) Leaving Drinking Water Uncovered at Night:

Leaving food or drink uncovered at night does not lead to poverty, but it is advisable to cover food containers when sleeping. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Extinguish the lamps when you go to bed; close your doors; tie the mouths of your water skins, and cover the food and drinks." I think he added, ". . . even with a stick you place across the container." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5624)

Translation: “When you go to bed at night, extinguish the lamps, close the doors, tie the mouth of water skins, and cover food and drink containers. If you do not find anything to cover them, then place a piece of wood over them and say ‘Bismillah’ (in the name of Allah).”

Another narration states:

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Cover the vessels and tie the waterskin, for there is a night in a year when pestilence descends, and it does not pass an uncovered vessel or an untied waterskin but some of that pestilence descending into it."

The idea that leaving a water container uncovered causes poverty comes from Shia sources. It is stated in their books that twenty traits reduce sustenance, including leaving the water container uncovered. (Bihar al-Anwar by Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi, Vol. 73, p. 314, Hadith 1)

(22) Not Giving to a Beggar at Night:

This idea also originates from Shia sources and is attributed to Ali (RA), though it has no basis. Whether it is day or night, if one has something to give to a beggar, they should give it, as Allah says:

"And in their properties there was the right of the beggar, and the Mahrum (the poor who does not ask the others)." (Al-Dhariyat: 19)

The verse “and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that.” (Al-Hashr: 9) suggests that a beggar came to the Prophet ﷺ at night, but since he had nothing to give, he entrusted the guest to another companion.

(23) Having Evil Thoughts:

Human beings are susceptible to mistakes and sinful thoughts. It is natural for people to have bad thoughts, and a Muslim’s duty is to repent from these and avoid acting on them. Allah is merciful and does not hold people accountable for evil thoughts unless they act upon them. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Allah has forgiven my followers the evil thoughts that occur to their minds, as long as such thoughts are not put into action or uttered." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5269)

Translation: Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah has forgiven my followers for the evil thoughts that come to their hearts as long as they do not act upon them or speak of them.”

Therefore, saying that evil thoughts lead to poverty is incorrect. However, it is possible to say that committing indecency and immoral acts may lead to poverty. Allah says:

"Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 268)

Translation: “Satan threatens you with poverty and commands you to immorality.”

(24) Reading the Quran without Ablution:

It is preferable to read the Quran with ablution, but it is permissible to read it without ablution from the Mushaf (physical Quran). Thus, the claim that reading the Quran without ablution leads to poverty is incorrect.

(25) Talking While Relieving Oneself:

Nowadays, bathrooms in homes are private, so there is no harm in talking when needed while using the bathroom. There is a hadith in this regard:

"Two men should not go out to relieve themselves, exposing their private parts and talking to each other, as Allah dislikes that." (Al-Silsilah al-Sahihah: 7/321)

Translation: “It is not permissible for two men to go out to relieve themselves, exposing their private parts and conversing with each other, for Allah dislikes that.”

This hadith prohibits talking in two specific cases:

1. When both people expose their private parts.

2. When they can see each other.

Thus, talking while relieving oneself is disliked, but it is permissible when necessary. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen was asked about talking in the bathroom before relieving oneself, and he replied that it is allowed, especially when needed, as there is no clear prohibition unless two people are sitting next to each other while relieving themselves and talking. Otherwise, there is no prohibition against speaking within the bathroom.

(26) Eating Without Washing Hands:

It is not necessary to wash hands before eating. Narrations indicate that the Prophet ﷺ sometimes ate without washing his hands. The only authentic narration on this topic is found in Al-Nasa’i:

Aisha (RA) reported that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was in a state of janabah and wanted to sleep, he would perform ablution, and if he intended to eat, he would wash his hands. (Reported by Al-Nasa’i, authenticated by Al-Albani)

Translation: Aisha (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when intending to sleep in a state of major ritual impurity, would perform ablution, and when intending to eat, he would wash his hands.

This narration specifically mentions hand-washing related to the state of janabah (major impurity), so one should wash hands before eating if there is dirt on them; otherwise, it is unnecessary. The belief that not washing hands before eating causes poverty is false.

27. Cursing One’s Children:

The upbringing of children is the responsibility of parents. Parents can reprimand, curse, and even discipline their children because the primary concern regarding children is their upbringing. Islam has instructed us to discipline children:

*"Instruct your children to pray when they are seven years old, and if they neglect it when they are ten, discipline them, and separate their beds."* (Sahih al-Jami’ by Al-Albani: 5868)

Imam Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, says: “It is the duty of fathers and mothers to teach their children manners, cleanliness, and prayer. Once they reach an age of understanding, they can be disciplined for negligence.” (Sharh al-Sunnah: 2/407)

28. Sitting at the Door:

People come and go through the door, so etiquette dictates not sitting there. The Prophet (PBUH) instructed us to give the path its rights. However, if it’s one’s own home, and there is no foot traffic, then there’s no harm in sitting at the door. Angels stand at the mosque’s doors on Fridays:

"There is an angel on every door of the mosque recording him first who (comes) first (to the mosque for Friday prayer)." (Sahih Muslim: 850)

Regarding laying mats at the door, a narration from Anas (RA) states:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade laying a mat at the doors of houses, saying: Keep it away from the door.” (It-haaf al-Khairah al-Mahrah)

This narration includes Musa bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Taymi, a weak narrator, so it is unreliable.

29. Burning Garlic or Onion Skins:

This notion is also derived from Shia sources. It appears in their book “Jami’ al-Akhbar” and was later adopted by some Sufis, spreading among the common people. Hanafi scholar Burhan al-Din Zarnuji also mentioned it in “Ta’lim al-Muta’allim,” but there is no basis for it in Islam.

30. Buying Bread or Other Items from a Beggar:

This idea also appears in the Shia book “Jami’ al-Akhbar.” A beggar is in need and wouldn’t sell something if he didn’t have it. If he has valuable goods, he can sell them. Saying that buying from a beggar leads to poverty is false both logically and scripturally.

31. Blowing Out a Lamp with a Breath:

This also originates from the Shia book “Jami’ al-Akhbar,” which is not authoritative for us. Lamps are extinguished by blowing, though other methods are permissible. The claim that blowing out a lamp causes poverty is incorrect.

“God’s light laughs at disbelief; this lamp will not be extinguished by mere breaths.”

32. Eating Without Saying “Bismillah”:

Saying “Bismillah” before eating is obligatory:

“If any of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah. If he forgets to do so at the beginning, let him say: ‘Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu’” (Sahih Sunan Abi Dawood: 3202).

Translation: Umm Kulthum reported from Aisha (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: *”When any of you eats, let him say the name of Allah. If he forgets, then let him say: ‘In the name of Allah, at the beginning and end.’”*

Truly, eating without saying “Bismillah” invites Satan, depriving one of the blessing of the food. However, if one forgets unintentionally, Allah has forgiven it.

33. Swearing Falsely:

In Islam, false oaths are major sins. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"The major sins are: associating others with Allah, disobedience to parents, and the false oath."

Such people face a painful punishment. Muslims should avoid false oaths. If one has previously taken a false oath to deprive someone of their right, they should sincerely repent, return the right, and, if they swore falsely regarding future actions, expiate it by feeding or clothing ten needy people or fasting for three days.

34. Not Turning Over an Upside-Down Shoe or Slipper:

This belief has no foundation in Islam. Shoes existed during the Prophet’s (ﷺ) time, yet neither he, the Companions, nor the four Imams left any such teaching.

Ibn Aqil al-Hanbali wrote in “Kitab al-Funun”: “Woe to those who ignore an upside-down piece of bread or leave a shoe overturned.” (Al-Adab al-Shar’iyyah 1/268-269)

This statement holds no basis in Quran or Sunnah. The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed while wearing shoes. Anas bin Malik was asked:

"Did the Prophet (ﷺ) pray in his shoes?" He replied, "Yes." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 386)

Thus, there’s no need for superstition about upside-down shoes.

35. Grooming in a State of Major Ritual Impurity (Janabah):

In a state of janabah, only a few acts are forbidden, such as prayer, circumambulation, staying in the mosque, and reciting the Quran. Other actions are permissible. Saying that grooming in janabah leads to poverty is un-Islamic.

36. Keeping Spider Webs in the Home:

This is also a baseless claim. It is attributed to Ali (RA):

“Clean your homes of spider webs, as leaving them causes poverty.”

This appears in Tafsir al-Thalabi and Tafsir al-Qurtubi, but its chain of narration includes Abdullah bin Maimun al-Qaddah, a weak narrator, thus rendering it unreliable (“Tahdhib al-Tahdhib” 6/44-45).

37. Sweeping at Night:

Sweeping at any time, day or night, is permissible, and no sin is associated with it. To claim that sweeping at night causes poverty is superstition and baseless belief. The Barelvi sect among Muslims is influenced by this superstition. May Allah guide them.

38. Eating in the Dark:

Eating in the light is preferable, but there is no harm in eating in the dark if necessary. In Surah al-Hashr, it mentions an Ansari Companion who hosted a guest of the Prophet (ﷺ) in the dark, preferring the guest’s comfort over his own hunger. Allah praised this act in the verse:

"and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that." (al-Hashr: 9)

39. Drinking Directly from a Pitcher:

If drinking directly from a pitcher is easy, then it is allowed as long as the opening isn’t too large. There is a narration about not drinking directly from the mouth of a leather container:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade the drinking of water direct from the mouth of a water-skin.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5629)

However, there is another narration where the Prophet (PBUH) drank from a leather water skin while standing:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered upon me. He drank from a hanging water-skin while standing. So I went to its mouth and cut it off.” (Sahih al-Tirmidhi: 1892)

In summary, drink directly if the vessel is small, but if it’s large, pour it into a smaller vessel first.

40. Not Reciting the Quran:

The Quran is a book to be read and acted upon. Those who neglect it distance themselves from Allah’s mercy. The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed us to recite the Quran, as it strengthens faith, increases knowledge, and brings blessings. Make it a habit to read and understand it. Those who read without understanding miss the purpose of its revelation and the etiquette of recitation.

✍ Written by: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi حفظہ الله

Jeddah Da’wah Center – Al-Salamah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

✍🏻 English Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail