The phenomenon of the “ghost rich” is now widely discussed. In the public sphere, a generation of young people has emerged who look like they don't work-no office, no uniform, no clocking in, yet their lifestyles are stable, even upscale. They are present in daytime cafes, active in the digital world, and seem to live without the conventional work structure that has been known to the public. Behind that, their work is often invisible. Income comes from attention: digital content, affiliates, trading, global freelance, and platform-based businesses.
As graduates of Islamic Religious Universities (PTKI), we have an important role to play in facing the challenges of the digital era. The Qur'an emphasizes the importance of contribution in society, as in Surah Al-Hujurat verse 13: “O mankind, We created you from a man and a woman and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest among you in the sight of Allah is the most pious among you..”
In the context of Islamic da'wah, ghost rich can be interpreted as individuals who have wealth but do not use their wealth for the benefit of da'wah and the good of society. The Qur'an emphasizes the importance of using wealth for good, as in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 261:
مَثَلُ الَّذِيْنَ يُنْفِقُوْنَ اَمْوَالَهُمْ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبٍَ اَنْۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِيْ كُلِّ سُنْۢبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حََبَّةٍۗ وَالّٰهُ يُضٰعِفُ لِمَنْ يَّشَاۤءُۗ وَالّٰهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيْمٌ
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is like that of a grain of seed that grows seven ears, in each ear a hundred seeds. Allah multiplies the reward for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Wide (His bounty) and All-Knowing.“
Muslim philosophers such as Ibn Khaldun emphasized the importance of earning a living that is halal and does not harm others. In the Muqaddimah, Ibn Khaldun wrote: “Earning a lawful living is an obligation for every Muslim, and must be done in a way that does not harm others.”
Islamic preaching, one of which is the invitation to islah, ghost rich can be defined as individuals who have wealth but do not use their wealth to improve relations with Allah and society. The Qur'an emphasizes the importance of islah, as in Surah Al-Hujurat verse 9: “And if two groups of believers are at war, then reconcile between them. If one of them wrongs the other, then fight the wrongdoer until it returns to the commandments of Allah. When they have returned, then reconcile between them with justice and be just. Verily, Allah loves those who are just.”
Thus, we can use our knowledge of religion and science to face the challenges of the ghost rich and increase our contribution to Islamic da'wah and islah.
