Inquiries on the Science of the Objectives of Sharia (Part 47)
2. Prohibition of Extravagance and Waste
Extravagance refers to excess and exceeding the limits of moderation. Therefore, spending money excessively is impermissible and considered forbidden; as Allah Almighty has clearly stated in several verses of the Holy Quran: «یا بني آدمَ خُذُوا زینتكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّه لا يحب المسرفين.» Translation: “O children of Adam! In every place of prayer and worship, adorn yourselves (with material clothing that covers your private parts and with spiritual clothing called piety), and eat and drink, but do not be extravagant and wasteful, for Allah does not love the extravagant and wasteful.”
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْضَى لَكُمْ ثلاثًا وَیَكْرَهُ لَكُمْ ثَلاثًا فَيَرْضَى لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوهُ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَأَنْ تَعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا، وَیَكْرَهُ لَكُمْ قِيلَ وَقَالَ وكثرة السؤالِ، وَإِضَاعَةَ الْمَالِ.» Translation: “Allah, the Exalted, loves three things for you and dislikes three things for you. The things He loves for you are that you worship Him and associate nothing with Him; that you hold fast all together to the rope of Allah and do not become divided; and the things He hates are idle talk, excessive questioning [about things that are of no use], and wastefulness of wealth.”
Wastefulness is not limited to excessive consumption in eating and drinking; moderation should also be observed in spending and charity. Allah, the Exalted, says: «وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قَوَامًا.» Translation: “And the servants of the Most Gracious are those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy.”
Extravagance is defined as exceeding the limit in spending, even if the expenditure occurs in a lawful manner. Iqtar refers to being stingy in spending, while Qawam denotes moderation in such a way that one does not remain poor, hungry, or naked, yet also avoids extravagance. If Allah Almighty grants him abundance, he should be generous while still saving for times of need.
It is also stated in a noble Hadith: «مَا أَحْسَنَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى، وَأَحْسَنَ القَصْدَ في النفر، وأحسن القصد في العبادة.» Translation: “How good is moderation in wealth, how good is moderation in poverty, and how good is moderation in worship.”
3. Paying Compensation and Financial Damages
Among the means of protecting property is the payment of compensation and financial damages when someone’s property is unlawfully destroyed. If someone usurps another’s property, they must return it. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «على اليد ما أخذت حتى تؤدى.» Translation: “Every hand is responsible for what it has taken until it returns it to its owner.”
If the usurped property is lost while in the hands of the usurper, they must guarantee its replacement, as Allah the Almighty says: «فَمَنِ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُوا عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ.» Translation: “Whoever initiates an attack on you, retaliate against him in the same manner.” (It is forbidden to start an attack, but defending oneself and fighting to reclaim property is permitted.)
4. The Legitimacy of Defending Property and Fighting Aggressors
It is obligatory for everyone to defend their property. If someone attempts to take it, they must defend themselves using the simplest means at first. If that is ineffective, they should use more effective and severe means, up to fighting if necessary. The Prophet (PBUH) said: «مَنْ قُتِلَ دُونَ مَالِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ، وَمَنْ قُتِلَ دُونَ دِينِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ، وَمَنْ قُتِلَ دُونَ دَمِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ، وَمَنْ قُتِلَ دُونَ أَهْلِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ.» Translation: “Whoever is killed while defending their wealth, religion, life, family, or honor is a martyr and will receive the reward of martyrdom.”
Abu Hurairah (MAPH) narrated that a man came to the Messenger of Allah and asked: “What should I do if someone comes to take my property?” The Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said: “Do not give him your property.” The man continued, “What if he fights me?” The Prophet replied, “Fight him.” The man asked, “What will happen to me if he kills me?” He said: “You are a martyr.” The man then said, “What about him if I kill him?” The Prophet said: “He is in Hell.”
From these two hadiths, it is understood that individuals should defend themselves against aggressors who intend to steal their property. If no other means exists to protect their property other than killing the aggressor, they are permitted to do so. However, if there is a possibility of repelling the aggressor by alternative means, they should avoid killing. If one fears that the aggressor may kill them, they may act preemptively, knowing that if they kill the aggressor, he will face Hell, and if the aggressor kills them, they will be considered a martyr.
