Is it haram to be rich?

Wealth is a blessing and a test

Islam sees money as something Allah gives, not something to be ashamed of. Uthman ibn Affan and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf were successful traders who used their wealth to fund wells, armies and the poor of Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ even named a generous rich person as one of only two people you're allowed to envy: someone Allah has given wealth who spends it rightly (Sahih al-Bukhari 73).

So working hard, building a business or earning a high salary is fine. You can even ask Allah for it. See Can I make dua for worldly things like a job or a car?

The duties that come with it

Wealth brings responsibilities. Your income must come from halal sources, without interest, cheating or harming others. Once your savings pass the threshold, zakat is due every year, and voluntary charity is encouraged on top. The Prophet ﷺ said the best charity is given by someone who is well off, and to start with your own dependents (Sahih al-Bukhari 1426). Supporting your family, paying debts on time and treating employees fairly are all part of handling money well. See What is the difference between zakat and sadaqah?

Gratitude, not greed

The real danger isn't having money but loving it too much. Greed, showing off, looking down on poorer people and never feeling you have enough are what Islam warns against. The Prophet ﷺ said true wealth is not having many possessions but feeling content inside (Sahih al-Bukhari 6446). A person with little can be rich in this sense, and a millionaire can be poor.

A simple way to check your heart

Ask yourself a few honest questions. Do I pray on time even when work is busy? Do I pay zakat without resentment? Would I still be fine if I lost some of this? If the answers are mostly yes, your wealth is serving you, not the other way round. Giving regularly keeps that balance, and it doesn't shrink what you have. See Does giving charity make you poorer?