WASTE OF MONEY

Virtues of Frugality

THERE is a general tendency in those who earn money to believe that it is their own property. They feel that they can spend their money as they please without any restrictions from anyone or anything. This tendency was also prevalent in Arab society at the time of the Prophet. With this background, the Quran in chapter Al-A’raf (The Heights) gives this general guidance:

O Children of Adam, dress yourself properly whenever you are at worship: and eat and drink but exceed not the bounds: God does not love those who exceed the bounds. (7: 31)

Spending your money is not simply a matter of choice. There are other aspects to be considered. For example, if you spend your money on unhealthy food or drink, it will destroy your physical fitness. You will cause your health and your activities in life to deteriorate. Money has two different aspects—positive and negative. Positive expenditure of money is undoubtedly beneficial, but negative expenditure of money is harmful.

Money is a great source of distraction, and it is this distraction that is referred to in the Quran as israf (prodigality and extravagance). Israf literally means going beyond all limits. When one indulges in extravagance, it will soon become a habit and one will go beyond limits in other matters also. And that will prove to be disastrous.

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Spending money is like sowing a seed. If the seed brings you a good harvest, only then it is well worth sowing, otherwise it is better not to sow it at all.

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Money can be a great asset for the earner. It can help him to live a better life. But when he fails to differentiate between positive expenditure and negative expenditure it shows that he has become a slave of his desires, spending his money on such things that have no real benefit in life.

Spending money is like sowing a seed. If the seed brings you a good harvest, only then it is well worth sowing. Otherwise, it is better not to sow it at all.