«Those who own don’t care, and those who care don’t own?!»

A general hadith that is specific, and a specific hadith that is general—I intended to discuss it earlier, but postponement was the prevailing reality. Not everything that is known is spoken, and not everything that is said is appropriate to utter publicly.***When you look at television and see Steve Jobs in his usual modest attire—a black turtleneck and dark blue Levi’s jeans—despite his prestigious status and high position, you realize that Apple Inc. would not have reached its current stature without this man’s vision and perspective. Therefore, he has no need to prove that he possesses wealth, as his affluence is taken for granted.***You then observe a millionaire who has unbuttoned his shirt, draped his ghutrah over his shoulder, let his hair fall unstyled, and left his beard untrimmed. He has abundant wealth and generous charity; he too has no need to prove that he owns, because he has moved beyond the stage of proving himself.***You then see another individual who has attained the highest academic degrees—a professor and doctor in his field—yet he does not appear to be a college professor or a university doctor. Neither his appearance nor his manner of speech suggests such status. Nevertheless, he feels no need to prove that he possesses knowledge, because his cultural capital outweighs deceptive appearances.***In contrast, you find people who wear the finest clothes, use the best perfumes, and skillfully select the most eloquent speech, yet their reality is otherwise. They focus on appearance because their essence is lacking, and on formalities because fundamentals are missing. They speak much because they have abandoned the core and focused on the superficial. This behavior is termed “conspicuous consumption,” as noted by sociologist Thorstein Veblen.***A recent study titled “Inconspicuous Consumption” documented by Professor Giana Eckhardt highlights a significant shift: the elite are increasingly leaning toward inconspicuous consumption rather than visible brands. They are moving from conspicuous to inconspicuous consumption because they no longer feel the need to prove anything.***Therefore, writer Elizabeth Currid-Halkett notes that the wealthy now spend more on “inconspicuous consumption” than others. You find them traveling to lesser-known but historically significant places, purchasing different healthy foods, and wearing expensive clothing without logos, known as “quiet luxury.”***Between a class that has no need to prove it possesses wealth, and a class under social pressure trying to appear wealthy, much money is wasted, much time is squandered, and many bank accounts flourish.