God Loveth not the Wasters
Praise be to Allah, Who has legislated for us a religion that ensures the well-being of both this life and the Hereafter. "He is the One Who Does, He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?" [Al-Mulk/14]. He sent His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as a mercy to the worlds.
Since Allah The Almighty wanted us to enjoy a balanced system of life, He didn`t approve for us to indulge in acts of extravagance nor to be extravagant ourselves. Rather, He Praised His believing servants in His words (What means): "And those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate." [Al-Furqan/67]. Extravagance means to exceed the permissible limit. According to the Quran, among those who are not engaged in sin, the extravagant are of two types
First Type: The Extravagant in Worship
Allah The Almighty forbids excessiveness in acts of worship and burdening oneself beyond its capacity, so that one does not become like the "Munbat" or exhausted traveler who is cut off and unable to reach his destination, as described by the Prophet (PBUH): "This religion is solid, so apply it gently, and do not make Allah's worship loathsome to yourself, for the exhausted traveler neither reaches his destination nor spares his mount." [Al-Bayhaqi].
Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "And He it is who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and dates and crops of different kinds of food and olives and pomegranates, similar yet different. Eat of their fruit when they bear fruit and give [Allah’s] due on the day of harvest. And do not be extravagant; indeed, He does not love the extravagant." [Al-An'am/141]. Ibn Kathir explains this as meaning: "And do not be extravagant in giving (in charity/Zakah) – to give beyond what is prescribed."
It is reported that this verse was revealed regarding Thabit Ibn Qais Ibn Shammas (may Allah be pleased with him), who harvested dates and said: "No one shall come to me today but I will feed them." So, he fed until evening without leaving any fruit for himself. Then Allah revealed (What means): "And do not be extravagant; indeed, He does not love the extravagant." The wisdom behind this is that a person does not deprive those under his care, as they are his responsibility for provision.
When Sa’d Ibn ‘Ubada (may Allah be pleased with him) wanted to give away all his wealth in charity, the Prophet (PBUH) forbade him, permitting him to give only a third, saying: "A third, and a third is much. It is better for you to leave your heirs wealthy than to leave them dependent, begging from people." [Al-Bukhari].
Moreover, here is the Mother of the Believers, Zaynab Bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her), who tied a rope in the mosque between two columns to support herself during night prayers. When the Prophet (PBUH) saw it, he ordered it to be removed, saying: "Untie it; let one of you pray as long as he feels energetic, and when he tires, let him sit down." [Ibn Majah].
Second Type: The Extravagant in Clothing, Food, and Drink
Likewise, Allah The Almighty forbids extravagance in clothing, food, and drink, so that a person does not become a slave to his desires, indulging every wish, which may lead him to fall into prohibited actions if he is unable to satisfy these desires. Allah Says (What means): "Indeed, the soul is ever inclined to evil." [Yusuf/53].
By curbing his desires, a person develops a sense of responsibility toward those in need, in devotion to Allah. It has been said: "Whoever eats everything he desires is extravagant.” Allah Says (What means): "O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not extravagant. Indeed, He does not like the extravagant." [Al-A’raf/31].
Adornment refers to clothing without extravagance or arrogance, and to eating and drinking what is lawful, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Eat, drink, wear clothing, and give in charity, without arrogance or extravagance, for Allah loves to see His blessings on His servant." [Ahmad].
Ibn Abbas (May Allah Be Pleased with him) said: "Eat what you like, and wear what you like, as long as you avoid two qualities: extravagance and arrogance." This, while remembering that Allah loves to see the effect of His blessing on His servant.
Extravagance in these matters can lead to arrogance, which Allah detests, and to the depletion of resources without any benefit to all people. A prime example of this is what happens at banquets, where much more food is discarded than is consumed. One is accountable before Allah for this, as He, The Most Exalted Says (What means): "Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure." [At-Takathur/8].
Praise be to Allah, who made us a balanced nation, with no extravagance nor miserliness. We ask Him to continue His blessings upon us, to preserve our security and well-being, and to grant us righteous endings. May Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
