Israaf (Extravagance)

Allah Ta'ala has given everyone what they require to satisfy their needs. But often problems arise when one wants to satisfy oneself with extravagance when one lacks the means to do so. Or one may do it with the means at one’s disposal but making some sacrifices in one's budget.  It is here that imbalance starts because very often one accomplishes it to the detriment of important and essential things. Let’s take a simple example to understand that. A person may be dressed properly in simplicity while donning cheap clothes. But one wants fabrics of mark and quality. Thus, this made one spend lavishly. Therefore, one has to make concession in food and drink merely due to having satisfied one's desires and pleasures. One has to cross out essential things also. When this is done with a child who needs proper food for his physical and mental development, then unknowingly one is committing a crime against one’s own child. How many of us have to borrow money for adornment purposes. And finally one faces difficulty to pay back the debt. It is the kids who pay for the damage because when there are financial problems at home, marital conflicts ensue. Finally, the children suffer the most. This is how family and marital turbulence comes about due to extravagance in spending. We deprive ourselves of what we need for the sake of what we do not need. This kind of over-spending is called Israaf which refers to spending where one ought to spend or where it is permissible to spend but one spends more than necessary. That is, one does extravagances by spending on permissible things. This is Haraam.

Deen teaches us to adopt moderation in everything. This even applies to our Ibaadaat. We should spend our time in Ibaadah but we should not do it to such an extent that we neglect other responsibilities or other Ibaadaat which are more essential. If this is forbidden in Ibaadaat, then it gives us an idea of ​​its seriousness in other matters.

Israaf make a person do undesirable and detestable things to earn money. It makes one lose his dignity. One adopts all means to earn money. One steals. One deceives people. One becomes dishonest.

Israaf applies to somewhat permissible things. However if the expense is being made in regards to impermissible things, then it is called Tabzeer. And this is more serious than Israaf. Tabzeer does not even have its place. It is very sad that we spend our wealth which we earned in a Halaal way to commit Haraam. We spend our precious time, energy and wealth in Haraam activities while neglecting essential and obligatory practices. This is what is called defeat upon defeat and Haraam upon Haraam. Thus, our life and savings are finishing in Israaf and Tabzeer.

There is something else called Taqteer which refers to not spending where one must spend. For example, a person does not hesitate to spend for the education of the Dunya. But for Madrassah, paying Rs. 100 / - or Rs. 200 / - is too high. One finds it too expensive. When it comes to spending money in marriage, much is spent but when the bride asks for a slightly high Mahr, then they consider it exorbitant. Yet what is essential in a marriage is the girl. Likewise, one hesitates to spend for a Masjid or Madrassah. This is a great shortcoming in us. All this is because we are wasteful when spending. We spend more than required where it is permissible to spend or we do not hesitate to spend where we should not spend. The inevitable consequence of it is that either we have to refrain from spending where we should spend or we don’t even have anything to be able to spend.

[English version of "Israaf (mal dépense)" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.4]