Extravagance - Surah Al-Isra 17:27

Explanation:

On the Day of Judgment we will be asked two primary questions regarding our wealth which are how we earned and spent it. This verse applied to the latter. Islam teaches us to enjoy the blessings of Allah which he has bestowed on us but this enjoyment must be moderate.

Mujahid (RA) said regarding this verse, "If a man spends all his wealth on appropriate things, then he is not a spendthrift, but if he spends a little inappropriately, then he is a spendthrift.''

Enjoyment becomes wasteful when it:

1. Makes one forget one’s purpose in life
2. Leads to ingratitude to Allah, dissatisfaction and constant desire for more
3. Makes one forget the poor and weak and those who we should share our wealth with
4. Is spent on sinful matters and corrupt things

In this verse, Allah compares people who waste and are extravagant to the devils. Ibn Kathir says that this is because they have a common trait. Allah mentions the common trait in this verse; both the devils and spendthrifts are ungrateful to Allah.

In Islam, gratitude is not just a matter of words but true gratitude lies in obedience to Allah. If one is grateful for the wealth Allah has blessed them with then they would not waste it on things which are displeasing to Allah.

The main lesson to take from this verse is to hold ourselves accountable for both how we earn and spend our wealth and to always show our gratitude to Allah in how we utilize His bounties.

Source: Verse of the Day Collection by Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar