Qur’an vs. Unbalanced Consumption

According to latest statistics the world's wealthiest 10% account for nearly 80% of consumption of goods and services, while the poorest 10% account for only 1.5% of consumption. Furthermore, it is reported that the world's richest 85 persons own $1.7 trillion, the same net asset shared by the world half poorest population, that is by 3.5 Million people.

From these and other current statistics we can see a great gap between the poor and the wealthy of our so-called "civilized world". Moreover nearly 1 Billion people, that is 1 in 7 of the world's population is suffering from chronic undernourishment.

There is a great shame in that we live in a world where the few very wealthy with their extravagant wasteful lifestyle live together with the mass of poor and needy struggling for their survival. All this in an age of great technological and scientific advancement in medicine, agriculture, communications and transportation that could all help alleviate the suffering of the poor. The Qur’an describes those who neglect to help the needy, or do not urge people to help, as people who deny Faith, because by denying their responsibility in this life they deny their accountability in the Hereafter. Because they treat the helpless with contempt and lead arrogant selfish lives, even if they are physically exercising their regular prayers, while their hearts and minds are not earnestly seeking the presence of God. The Qur’an says: “Have you seen him who denies the Judgment? That is he who repels the orphan and does not urge the feeding of the needy. So woe to them who pray, those who are heedless of their prayers, those who make a pretense, and deny all assistance (to the needy)” (107:1-7).

Most of this kind of problems come from selfishness that leads a person to concentrate his behavior and actions to what he believes is of benefit for him alone. The Qur’an warns such people by saying: “Let them not suppose those who are niggardly with what God has given them of His bounty, that it is better for them; nay, it is worse for them; what they have withheld, they shall have hug around their necks on the Day of Resurrection; and to God belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth; and God is aware of what you do”  (3:180).

The Qur’an considers the wealth possessed by someone to be a gift from God, and it is meant to be a trial for him, and he will be questioned in the Day of Judgement on how he earned it and how he used it: “And know that your wealth and your children are a trial, and that with God is tremendous wage”  (3:180).  This tremendous wage is of course for those who spend from their wealth, that which is due to the poor and the needy.  The Qur’an also states that of the wealth one possesses there is a part due to the needy, and not only for him and his own family’s consumption: “...and in whose wealth there is an acknowledged due for the beggar and the deprived, and who affirm the truth of the Day of Judgement, and who are apprehensive of the chastisement of their Lord”  (70:24-27).

Talking of good servants of God, the Qur’an mentions: “And who, when they spend, are neither prodigal nor parsimonious, but between such lies moderation”  (25:67)

We understand from this verse that they do not consume their wealth wastefully, nor are they niggardly, but they take a moderate way, as they are mindful of the needs of the poor and the needy. And they remember God’s admonition: “And give the kinsman his due, and the needy and the traveller (as well); and do not squander. Indeed squanderers are brothers of devils, and the Devil was ever ungrateful to his Lord” (17:26-27). And we know that squandering is spending resources lavishly and wastefully, and this is what we witness today in some societies that live beside neighbours that lead lives of misery.

So a Muslim should refrain himself and his family from spending the income on luxurious and extravagant consumption. He should limit his consumption within the basic standard of the society around him, and not to provoke envy, rivalry and jealousy with those of less means. Furthermore, we need to keep in check the amount of consumption and refrain from wasteful attitudes.

The Qur’an and the Prophet (God’s blessings upon him) ordered Muslims not to waste resources, nor to be excessive in consuming the goods of this world: "O children of Adam! Don your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but do not be excessive; He truly does not love those who are excessive" (7: 31).

Even in performing our religious obligations, such as performing wudhu (Ablution for prayer), we need to be careful not to use too much water. Abdullah bin Omar narrated that the Prophet (God’s blessings upon him) saw Sa’ad bin Abi Waqas one day was doing wudhu (ablution) using a lot of water, so he interrupted: "What is this israf (= excess)?" Sa’ad answered: Even in wudhu there is israf? The Prophet said: "Yes, even if you are on a river flowing" (Reported by Ibn Majah).