What does it mean to be truly wealthy?

Is it measured by material abundance, or is it rooted in the depth of one’s wisdom and understanding?

Meet al-Akhtal al-Saghir ( The Younger Akhtal ), a poet who dared to challenge conventional notions of success. Through his verses, he captured the essence of intellectual wealth, declaring:

"It suffices me as riches that I am not ignorant, while most of the wealthy today are ignorant."

كفاني ثراء أنني غير جاهل وأكثر أرباب الغنى اليوم جهال

In his poem, al-Akhtal al-Saghir reflects on his youthful pursuit of knowledge, a path ridiculed by many yet one that ultimately brought him enduring fulfillment. He reminds us that wisdom enriches the soul in ways no material wealth can.

This idea is deeply woven into Arab cultural values, where the pursuit of knowledge is celebrated as a lifelong journey. Proverbs like "Knowledge is light" and "Seek knowledge even if it is in China" echo this reverence.

Dive deeper into al-Akhtal al-Saghir’s life and poetic legacy in our newsletter. https://arabianechoes.substack.com/p/the-wealth-of-wisdom