How To Avoid Overspending on Worldly Benefits Based on Islamic Teachings

Islam instructs us to be frugal with our money. Money does not come with instructions, therefore managing our expenditure is something worth considering on a regular basis. Staying within our means is quite crucial. However, it does not entail relinquishing the activities that make life enjoyable and meaningful. Islam just teaches us to be careful of what we spend on a daily basis. We consider money to be our doorway to happiness: a method of fulfilling all of our goals and desires. Everyone desires to have more money to spend according to their wishes. In Islam, money is seen as a blessing from Allah and a trust. Muslims are only permitted to gain money or accumulate riches through acceptable sources, like business, trade, labor, and succession. Borrowing and lending are forbidden if they are used in inappropriate ways or on prohibited items. Extravagance, waste, and mismanaging of money (or any other sort of wealth) on goods or activities that are not productive are also prohibited in Islam. Charity is strongly supported, both openly and secretly. On overspending the Holy Quran says:

The preceding Ayat is sufficient to demonstrate Almighty Allah's (SWT) disdain for extravagant people. On the Day of Resurrection, anybody who is not liked by Allah (SWT) will not be blessed by Him and will be in hell. Islamic religion of life and its principles and laws lay the groundwork for human happiness and prosperity, both for the person and for the community. Islam has provided a comprehensive program for every aspect of human existence and has encouraged its adherents to achieve stability and decency in all matters. Extravagance and waste are the polar antitheses of moderation since they go beyond the right bounds. The boundaries of such are defined by religious, intellectual, and social principles. In this context, waste (Tabdheer) refers to waste and overabundance in food consumption including in everyday life. Those who squander and are lavish are referred to in the Quran as "Brothers of Satan." Individuals who squander on deliberately and with full awareness are thought to be in league with Satan. A person who spends the public wealth, his life, and his day-to-day expenses with full knowledge and awareness is regarded to be distant from religious fact and cannot be said to be on the right path (the Sirat al-Mustaqim).

Ways To Avoid Overspending

No doubt, overspending is condemned in Islam but there are a lot of individuals having vast resources of money who are unable to control their money wastage. Here are some of the ways that can save you from spending too much money on worldly activities:

Do Not Spend Excessively on Food

You must consume food in order to stay alive but do not extraordinarily as it might also harm your health. However, the money you pay for food varies greatly depends on what you eat as well as whether you eat outside or at home. You can reduce spending on groceries by keeping track out of weekly bargains and coupons as well as by honing your cooking abilities. There are a lot of other ideas that you can adopt to reduce your money wastage on food. Islam also appreciates it a lot and Allah (SWT) will definitely reward you for it. You can spend the saved money to feed others especially and it will be counted as a great and noble deed. 

Reduce Spending on Entertainment

Muslims are allowed to entertain their selves in the best possible way but it should not be something that is prohibited in Islam. And if you spend your money on something that is not permitted it would be automatically considered Haram. Spending your resources on Haram is indeed not beneficial and you are committing sin. Moreover, even if you are squandering money on entertainment things that are allowed in Islam, do not waste it as Allah (SWT) condemns it. 

Avoid Taking Bribes

Giving and taking bribes is strictly forbidden in Islam. The one who commits it will have to face the fire of Hell. It is a great sin that should not be committed by a Muslim. Spending your money on bribes is Haram and regarded as overspending because it is not what is required to live according to the teachings of Islam. 

Spend Less on Clothes

One should spend less on clothes and just buy those clothes that are needed. Muslims should always wear their clothes as Islam instructed them to do so. It is forbidden to waste your money buying extra clothes that are extremely lavish and expensive. By purchasing clothes at modest prices, you can save a bunch of your money. If you have more then, you can buy clothes for those in need and Allah Almighty will certainly bless you. 

The Negative Effects of Overspending (Israaf) on Individuals

From religious point of view, Israaf is not beneficial for individuals and Allah (SWT) will not bless that person. Here are a few of the harms of overspending that people might face:

Physical Harm

Eating and drinking over one's limitations cause significant damage to the body. Overeating and excessive drinking, as per doctors today, are major causes of a variety of ailments and disorders. This is something that is also extremely forbidden by Islam principles. It is mentioned in Quran that:

A Reduction in Blessings

Israaf tends to cause blessings to diminish in one's life and finally fade out altogether, implying that Israaf is correlated with a decline in blessings. Overspending is harmful and will be extremely devastating for a Muslim because it will to a decreasing in the blessings of Allah Almighty. 

God's Wrath

God does not love people who do Israaf.' In relation to Israaf, Imam Sadiq (A.S) has said that 'Israaf is susceptible to God's vengeance.'

Poverty

Poverty is the most significant economic element of Israaf; this is because Israaf entails the squandering of finite resources, which inevitably becomes a threat to human existence. According to Imam Ali (A.S), Israaf produces devastation, but moderation is a method of increasing riches.

The Deterioration of Society Morality & Ethics

The inefficient and wasteful use of resources drives humans to corruption and societal ruin. It might even lead to an individual no longer understanding the interests of others and just caring for himself.

The Emergence of Class Conflict 

Israaf is one of the factors that contribute to the emergence of class strife and struggle. It's because some people feel that since they have a lot of money, they may spend it any way they want, even if it goes contrary to Islam and its societal laws.

In Essence,

Muslims must follow the rules and laws of Islam in order to gain the blessings of Allah Almighty. Whatever the wealth a person possesses according to the fourth pillar of Islam, the adherents should give Zakat to the needy. This will purify their wealth and emerges a sense of care for their brothers. Moreover, Muslims must avoid overspending on worldly activities and should do the acts of charity and Allah (SWT) will reward them or their good deeds. It is stated in Quran that:

In a Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira: