Book Name:The Devastating Consequences of Following Carnal Desires
2. The Evil Habit of Extravagance
Similarly, the evil habit of extravagance can incite the pursuit of lusts. An extravagant person will purchase every item that appeals to him without considering its utility, thus wasting vast amounts of wealth in the pursuit of desires.
Remedy: The remedy is to keep one's genuine needs in mind when spending wealth and to avoid purchasing anything unnecessary. If possible, one should donate the amount intended for an extravagant purchase to charity. Be it known that spending wealth where it is prohibited by Shariah, custom, or social etiquette—such as spending on vice and sin, or spending on strangers while leaving one's family helpless—is termed isrāf (extravagance).[1] If isrāf contravenes Shariah, it is forbidden; if it contravenes social etiquette, it is makrūh tanzīhī (disliked).[2]
On page 256 of the first volume of Faizan-i-Sunnat, a renowned work by the Spiritual Guide, Amir Ahl al-Sunnah, Allamah Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ, it is recorded:
The eminent commentator of the Quran, Hakim al-Ummah Sayyidunā Mufti Ahmad Yār Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states in Tafsīr NaꜤīmī (vol. 8, p. 390) that there are many interpretations of isrāf:
1. Considering permissible things as forbidden.
2. Utilising forbidden things.
3. Eating, drinking, or wearing more than is necessary.
4. Consuming or wearing whatever the heart desires.