Happy Money, Islamic Finance, and the Spiritual Psychology of Wealth

“Happy Money, Islamic Finance, and the Spiritual Psychology of Wealth" by Mogamat Ali Salie

In his book Happy Money, Japanese author Ken Honda introduces a simple yet transformative idea: money carries energy. It can be “happy” or “unhappy.” Happy money flows with appreciation and purpose. Unhappy money is filled with fear, stress, and mistrust. The way we earn, spend, and share money shapes not only our financial well-being but also our emotional and spiritual state.

This idea is not new. Many cultures have long believed that money has moral, relational, and spiritual dimensions. But the modern world often treats money as something purely transactional, numbers in a bank account, rather than something that affects the heart.

Ken Honda’s framework offers a useful lens to explore how different societies relate to money, and in this article, we delve into how Islamic finance can help return wealth to its original purpose: a means of dignity, generosity, trust, and service.

How Different Cultures View Money

East Asia: Money as Harmony and Responsibility

In Japan, China, and Korea, money is often tied to:

• Group harmony

• Social responsibility

• Respect for elders and community stability

Ken Honda describes growing up in Tokyo, where his parents taught him to give thanks when receiving or spending money. Even paying a bill could be a moment of gratitude. Wealth was not measured only in accumulation, but in how one maintained relationships and fulfilled obligations with sincerity.

Money, in this worldview, is relational.

Europe and the West: Money as Individual Freedom

Much of Western Europe and North America has grown around the idea that money ensures personal independence:

• Financial autonomy

• Personal success

• Achievement and merit

We admire “self-made” stories. Wealth is something to claim, secure, and protect. This can create innovation—but it can also produce anxiety, competition, and loneliness.

Money, in this worldview, is individual.

The Middle East and South Asia: Money as Honour, Trust, and Blessing

In many Muslim-majority regions (including West Asia and the broader Islamic world), money is traditionally viewed as:

• A trust (amānah)

• A source of social responsibility

• A means to support family, community, and faith

Generosity is tied to honour, and withholding wealth without cause is associated with spiritual poverty.

Money, in this worldview, is a trust from God.

Islamic Finance and the Concept of Barakah

In Islam, wealth is neither inherently good nor bad. Its blessing (barakah) depends on:

• How it is earned

• How it is used

• The intention behind it

The Qur’an states:

“And He is the One Who made you successors on the earth.”
(Qur’an 6:165)

Wealth is a stewardship, not ownership.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: Money as Flow, Not Hoarding

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged the circulation of wealth and not accumulation for its own sake:

He said:

“Charity does not decrease wealth.”
(Sahih Muslim)

Money that flows with generosity returns multiplied—emotionally, spiritually, and often materially.

This is strikingly similar to Ken Honda’s concept of happy money: wealth that flows with gratitude creates emotional richness.

Examples from the Sahaba

• Abu Bakr (RA) gave his entire wealth in moments of need, trusting that Allah provides.

• Uthman ibn Affan (RA) financed wells, caravans, and community resources.

• Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf (RA) was a merchant who earned ethically and gave extravagantly.

None of them feared poverty, because their wealth lived in the heart, not the hand.

They practised “happy money” long before the phrase existed.

When Money Becomes Unhappy

According to Ken Honda, money becomes unhappy when it flows through:

• Fear

• Scarcity mindset

• Comparison

• Ego

• Greed

Islamic tradition warns of the same spiritual traps.

The Qur’an cautions:

“And do not let your wealth and children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.”
(Qur’an 63:9)

Unhappy money is money detached from purpose.

Bringing These Lessons into Modern Islamic Finance

Islamic finance is not only about avoiding interest. It is about:

• Ethical trade

• Community upliftment

• Fair partnership and shared risk

• Wealth circulation

• Purposeful stewardship

This means building businesses, family offices, and investments that:

1. Create dignity.

2. Strengthen people and community.

3. Preserve long-term well-being over short-term gain.

Money is not the goal. Money is a tool for a meaningful life.

A Practical Shift: Say “Alhamdulillah” When Money Moves

Ken Honda encourages saying “Thank you” when money enters or leaves your hands.

In Islam, we already have this practice:

• “Alhamdulillah” for income.

• “Bismillah” when spending.

• “Allahumma barik” when seeing wealth.

• “Ameen” when giving charity.

Gratitude turns money into worship.

Conclusion

Money is not just currency; It is emotional energy, a spiritual responsibility, and a reflection of who we are.

Ken Honda teaches the world about happy money.
Islam taught us about barakah, which is a richer, deeper, more enduring form of financial peace.

When money flows with gratitude, generosity, trust, and intention, it becomes a source of well-being in this world and the next.

References

Ken Honda
Honda, K. (2019). Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money. Gallery Books.
Honda, K. (n.d.). Happy Money vs. Unhappy Money. https://kenhonda.com

Islamic Finance & Spiritual Wealth
The Qur’an: Al-Baqarah (2:261–274), Al-Hashr (59:7), Al-Munafiqun (63:9–11).
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Zakat, Hadith 1417 — “The upper hand is better than the lower hand.”
Chapra, M. U. (2000). The Future of Economics: An Islamic Perspective. Islamic Foundation.
Qaradawi, Y. (1999). Fiqh az-Zakah. Dar Al Taqwa.

Money, Culture & Happiness
Diener, E., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2008). Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Blackwell.
Kahneman, D., & Deaton, A. (2010). “High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being.” PNAS, 107(38).

Faith & Finance Integration
Sultan, S. (2019). Spiritual Intelligence in Islamic Finance. ISRA.
Hameed, S. (2020). “Islamic Wealth and Happiness: A Maqasid al-Shariah Perspective.” Journal of Islamic Finance, 9(2).