The Virtue of the Poor and the Needy in Paradise

The questioner:
The question is: Which is better? We make a supplication in which we say, “O Allah, gather us with the group of the poor and the needy.”

The Shaykh:
The poor and the needy have a status; they will enter Paradise before others, before the merchants, because the merchants have a reckoning and they have other matters to account for.

The questioner:
We want the best.

The Shaykh:
So Abu 'Umar said that the poor enter before them. The secret of your Lord is knowledge, and it is not merely being poor. The secret of your Lord is knowledge, insight, and guidance. Say, “O Allah, grant me understanding in the religion. O Allah, teach me what benefits me.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever walks a path seeking knowledge, Allah testifies for him on the path to Paradise. Learn and gain understanding. The secret of your Lord is success and beneficial knowledge. You say, “Restraint.” This is insight, insight, understanding, and religion.