Question:

salaam..
quick question: Does Islam promote poverty? ie. prefer the poor-lifestyle?
I have read an article that the prophet prefers the poor among his ummah..
also, some brothers here are convinced that it's better to dedicate our waking hours to pray and da'wah and it's ok for not having a job (and getting money from welfare) and/or working minimum of hours weekly to earn a little bit of money..
My commonsense tells me that it's not right besides, that's my taxpayers money that govt uses to fund welfare system.

I'd also appreciate few pointers to articles on the web concerning this issue..

Answer

Assalamu alaikum.

You have two related, but separate issues. Understanding Islamic perspective on poverty requires going through Islamic teachings from the Qur'an and the Sunnah in a comprehensive way.

A. Getting money from welfare (or not working) even for the cause of Islam is inconsistent with clear teachings of Islam. Islam teaches self-reliance as well as self-respect. All our great Islamic personalities, including Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Hasan Basri (may Allah bless them) EARNED their livelihood through various trades/occupations while dedicating their lives for Islam.

B1. Poverty as a choice

Islam does not advocate or promote poverty. Rather Islam teaches that people should be trying their utmost to overcome the poverty so that they can support themselves, their family and be among those who give compared to those who take. The Prophet (s) taught people to pray to Allah for protection against poverty/destitution.

Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that he had heard that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say the following dua, "O Allah, it is You who makes the dawn break and makes the night a time for rest and appoints the sun and moon to reckon by. Relieve me of debt and PROTECT/DELIVER ME FROM POVERTY and let me enjoy my hearing, my sight and my strength in Your way." [Muatta Imam Malikm Book 15, Number 15.8.27]

Moreover, Islam teaches that as a normal pursuit of life, one should try to pursue his/her share of God's blessing in this life. All those who shun this world, probably, have forgotten or ignored the following explicit verse of the Qur'an.

"But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, NOR FORGET YOUR PORTION IN THIS WORLD: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief." [28/al-Qasas/77]

That's the way of the Prophet (s). As part of regular life, the Prophet first became a successful merchant/entrepreneur before he became a prophet. As part of his life, wealth and riches presented in vastness to his feet. It was only by having those under his feet he gave away or utilized those wealth/richness/resources for the people in the path of God.

B2. The guidance for those who are in poverty:

Without ennobling poverty, Islam helps those who are in dire poverty to cope with their hardship and toil of poverty by offering them solace and comfort about the impending reward in the life of the hereafter. This is parallel to the teaching of Islam to work one's utmost to overcome poverty.

Also parallel to individual commitment and effort, the society should make collective effort toward alleviation/elimination of poverty.

Allah knows best. I hope this helps. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.