Miserliness and Extravagance

Miserliness and Extravagance

Miserliness and Extravagance : Muslims are a justly balanced people and therefore, they have to live a life of moderation in all matters. It is commanded in the Holy Quran as well as by the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam), that in matters of expenditure, people should neither be extravagant nor miserly. Extravagance and waste, on the one hand and miserliness on the other are both forbidden.
The Holy Quran, while permitting us to eat lawful and pure things, forbids us from wasting them. We are told that Allah does not love the extravagant and the spendthrifts. We are also told not to be miserly. The Quran says:
“Make not thy hand tied to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach……(17:29)
And also:
“Those who when they spend, are not extravagant, and not niggardly, but hold a just (balance) between those (extremes).” (25:67)
Even in the matter of giving charity, we are advised neither to be miserly nor extravagant. A person should not spend so much in charity that he himself would starve and have to beg. Neither should he just collect wealth and not take care of anybody else.
Islam discourages wastefulness, indulgence in wasteful luxuries and spending for show to impress others. The Holy Quran condemns extravagance as it leads a person into evil company and to the misuse of Allah’s bounties.
It is said in the Holy Quran:
“Waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.” (7:31)
Miserliness is a great sin.
The Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) said:
“Two things do not fit in a faithful person, miserliness and bad temper.”
About misers, the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) is reported to have said:
“A miser is far off from Allah, far off from Paradise, far off from people and nearer to Hell.