What is the meaning of Allah the Exalted’s statement regarding the people of the left: “Indeed, they were before that in luxury,” and is there a criterion for forbidden luxury?

Question:
May Allah reward you with good and do you well. Shaykh Salih asks: Allah the Exalted said regarding the people of the left: What is the meaning of this verse? And is there a criterion for forbidden luxury? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Forbidden luxury is that which occupies one from the obedience of Allah. The person in luxury may not limit himself to what Allah has permitted, but rather gives himself everything his soul desires, whether lawful or forbidden. This is the forbidden luxury. And because luxury leads to transgressing the limits of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), Allah the Exalted said: This indicates that excessive luxury leads to open sinfulness, which is exiting the obedience of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and disobeying the Messengers (peace be upon them). This leads to destruction. If the luxury is less than that, it is disliked because it occupies one from the obedience of Allah, and because it accustoms the soul to laziness. What is required of the Muslim is seriousness, striving, and jihad in the path of Allah, righteous deeds, and standing in night prayer. As for the person in luxury who sleeps and fills his stomach with food, takes everything his hand seizes, and is occupied by that from the obedience of Allah, and is lazy about obedience, this is also from the disliked or forbidden luxury. But the dangerous luxury is that which leads its owner to open sinfulness and to transgressing the sanctities of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and even more than that, disobeying the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Luxury is important in any case, but some of it is more severe than some.