Learn about the principles of consumption of wealth in Islam, including charity, moderation, and avoiding extravagance. Find out how Muslims are guided by ethical and beneficial financial practices.
Consumption is the last and most important stage in the production of wealth. Consumption play a very significant part in the economic life of individuals as well as nations. As such, it is absolutely necessary that one would be very careful in the consumption of wealth.
The Holy Quran gives us very enlightening instruction with regard to consumption. It encourages the use of good and useful things and discourages wasteful and unnecessary expenditure. The individuals are given full liberty of expenditure on good and pure things provided they do not endanger the security and welfare of the state. This principal is explained in the following verse of the Holy Quran:
“O men, eat the lawful and good things from what is in the earth and follow not the foot steps of the devil.
Eat and drink of the provisions of God, and act not Corruptly making mischief in the land.”
Holy Quran has shown the most balanced approach in the field of consumption i.e, one should be moderate in the consumption of wealth , neither to obstain from nor to be indulgent in the worldly pleasures like spiritualists and materialists respectively.
In view of the importance of wealth, Islam lays great stress on its proper care and use. It advises people to look after their property very care fully and spend it widely and judiciously on the satisfaction of their lawful wants.
Characteristics Consumption of wealth in Islam has certain peculiarities of its own.
Firstly, there is no distinction between spiritual and worldly expenditure. Just as it is an act of piety and virtue to spend on the widows orphans and the poor similarly, it considered virtuous to spend on yourself, your children, parents and relatives. To say prayer or to go for pilgrimage to Mecca is as good and virtuous an act as to go to office or to do business or any thing else to earn your livelihood by hard and hones labour.
Secondly consumption is not confined to necessaries of life or necessaries of efficiency but includes comforts and even lawful luxuries of life. The Holy Quran very generously allows us to benefit from the comforts , convenience and many of the luxuries of life. If any thing is forbidden it is shameful and indecent behaviour which is in fact an offence against society and is the result of excessive enjoyment and over idulgence in the luxuries of this world.
Islam has forbidden the use of luxuries as they encourage the growth of unproductive and immoral industries and spread mischievous and disruptive elements in society which ultimately destroy the unity and integrity of the entire community.
Consumption of luxuries is prohibited some times by reminding people of the “fear of God” and sometimes by telling them “not to follow.in the footsteps of the evil one.” Consumption of luxuries is a “slow killing” poison which gradually but surely destroys every society. It spreads bribery, corruption, nepotism, redtapism, etc in society. Islam has, therefore, forbidden the consumption of luxuries so that disruptive elements may not grow in society and cause its destructive.