The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks
EXTRAVAGANCE has become a common phenomenon that has affected all strata of the society in recent times.
To increase expenses, increase consumption and squander wealth as soon as one gains a little wealth or rises to affluence is a characteristic that is inherent in human nature.
The Holy Qur’aan makes it clear that allowing free rein to extravagance and exceeding the limits of moderation is an inherent characteristic in man(Ch 42 : v 27).
To cultivate man and refine his mind and soul, The Almighty has commanded moderation in all matters – even in matters of worship, in order to maintain enthusiasm and never feel weary of worship.
Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, “Observe al-qasd (the middle course) whereby you will attain your objective (that is paradise).”
Moderation is the opposite of extravagance.
Every individual is meant to earn in a dignified manner and then spend in a very wise and careful manner. One should never try to impress others by living beyond one’s means. Extravagance is forbidden in Islam (Ch 7 : v 31)
The Almighty regards wasteful buying of food, extravagant eating that sometimes leads to throwing away of leftovers is absolutely forbidden.
He says, “Eat of the fruits in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. And waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters.” [Ch 6 : v 141]
Demonstrating wastefulness in dress, means of transport, furniture and anything else is also forbidden (Ch 7 : v 31)
Islam strongly forbids extravagance in order to preserve property and the resources about which the servants will be asked on the Day of Judgment. On that day, every individual will be asked about his wealth, were he obtained it and how he spent it.
Islam has not forbidden a person to acquire wealth, make it grow and make use of it. In fact, Islam encourages one to do so. Rather, it is having recourse to forbidden ways to acquiring and spending wealth that Islam has clearly declared forbidden.
One of the forbidden ways of spending wealth is squandering it for the sake of trivial pursuits. This could be a forbidden prodigal trip or a costly wedding party, to mention but two examples.
Thousands of people starve to death each year. Therefore, is there a chance to prevent the squandering of such wealth? Does showing gratefulness to The Almighty for his bounties mean wasting what He has granted us on things He is not pleased with?
Extravagance in recent times has moved from a state of being an individual practice of the rich and wealthy people of society in general to, regrettably enough, a common phenomenon that has affected all strata of the society.
Consequently, those who have the means are reckless, and those who do not have them borrow money to squander it in order to meet their families’ wants of luxuries and unnecessary items. As a matter of fact, this attitude came as a result of world capitalism that has managed, to a large degree, to convince people to follow this course through propaganda and advertising in the various communication media.
Capitalism considers demand to be the driving force behind production. Therefore, countless commercials whet the consumer’s desire to consume whatever is advertised, and make him believe that if he does not consume the advertised products he will be unhappy, ineffective and clumsy or out of tune with the fashion and trend of the times.
This practice has reached a stage where many a bread winner resorts to taking loans (from individuals and finance houses) with interest, in order to meet his family’s wishes to travel aboard or to give a big wedding party in order to win peoples’ admiration and so forth. This also applies, among other things, to accommodation, furniture, means of transport, dress and food.
Islam does not encourage its followers to allow free reins to consumption.
It encourages them to dispense with luxurious items so they will not be enslaved by them, as is the case of many people today who blindly and irresponsibly abandon themselves to excess and the squandering of wealth in order to ‘keep up with the Joneses’.
Why is it then that extravagance and the squandering of wealth continue to grow in society, while there are many helpless and deprived peoples who do not find sufficient food and decent shelter in so many different parts of the globe?
Can one go on spending in a reckless manner, possibly even on things that have been made forbidden while witnessing the suffering of fellow humans? In fact, those who do not consider such an issue seriously may be subjected to The Almighty’s punishment by depriving them of such wealth overnight and impoverishing them to such an extent that they wish they had what they used to previously throw away as rubbish.
We seek refuge, by The Almighty, from such an appalling situation! History is replete with the record of such incidents where extravagant people have subsequently gone through such horrible experiences. But few are those who learn a lesson from such experiences.
Many a family has been brought to the brink of poverty after leading a life of affluence. Similarly, many a nation lived a life of extravagance and its people indulged in forbidden excesses only to be later inflicted with trials and tribulations to such a point that they wished they would only have a little of what they used to possess!
Therefore, we should not exceed the bounds when The Almighty bestows His bounties upon us. Rather we should show gratefulness to Him by using His bestowments and favours in ways that prove our total obedience to Him and by observing moderation in spending. For this will be better for us in this life and the hereafter. This will also help preserve property.
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars Publications Department P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003 e-mail: [email protected]
