Light on the Path-261b
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The questioner : This listener, Umm 'Abd al-Rahman, says: “May the Shaykh be respected, we read a lot in the Qur'an about the prohibition of extravagance, and also the prohibition of stinginess. Stinginess is well known, but how do we know that something is extravagance, and how do we distinguish between extravagance, generosity, and liberality?”
The Shaykh : Extravagance is exceeding the limit in spending on food, drink, housing, and clothing. For example, if this man is of moderate means.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then he holds a feast that only the rich would hold, that is extravagance. But if a rich man held it, it would not be extravagance, because extravagance is determined according to the condition of the person doing it.
As for liberality and generosity, it is for a person to be liberal and give what should be given in the manner commanded, but without extravagance, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Furqan 25:67] This is praise for them. And Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Isra 17:29].
As for stinginess, it is withholding what must be given, whether from wealth, status, or effort. If a person withholds what must be given, that is the stingy one. If he withholds the right of hospitality, for example, he is stingy. If he withholds the obligatory maintenance for his family, he is stingy. If he withholds zakah, he is even more stingy. Likewise, stinginess with status: if it is obligatory for him to direct his status to a person and he is stingy with his status, that is stinginess. Indeed, it was reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): This is stinginess with effort, where a person is stingy with the prayer upon his Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), even though he was mentioned in his presence. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Extravagance is exceeding the limit in spending on food, drink, housing, and clothing. For example, if this man is of moderate means.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then he holds a feast that only the rich would hold, that is extravagance. But if a rich man held it, it would not be extravagance, because extravagance is determined according to the condition of the person doing it.
As for liberality and generosity, it is for a person to be liberal and give what should be given in the manner commanded, but without extravagance, as Allah the Exalted said:
And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate
وَالَّذينَ إِذا أَنفَقوا لَم يُسرِفوا وَلَم يَقتُروا وَكانَ بَينَ ذلِكَ قَوامًاAnd do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.
وَلا تَجعَل يَدَكَ مَغلولَةً إِلى عُنُقِكَ وَلا تَبسُطها كُلَّ البَسطِ فَتَقعُدَ مَلومًا مَحسورًاAs for stinginess, it is withholding what must be given, whether from wealth, status, or effort. If a person withholds what must be given, that is the stingy one. If he withholds the right of hospitality, for example, he is stingy. If he withholds the obligatory maintenance for his family, he is stingy. If he withholds zakah, he is even more stingy. Likewise, stinginess with status: if it is obligatory for him to direct his status to a person and he is stingy with his status, that is stinginess. Indeed, it was reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
The stingy one is the one who is mentioned in his presence and he does not pray upon him.
أن البخيل من ذكِر عنده فلم يصلي عليهThe questioner : May Allah bless you.