Written by: Fadilat al-Sheikh Abdul Salam bin Muhammad (may Allah protect him)
Narrated by Amr bin Shu'aib from his father, from his grandfather (may Allah be pleased with them):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Eat, drink, wear clothes, and give charity without extravagance or arrogance."
[Reported by Abu Dawood and Ahmad, and Bukhari narrated it in a suspended form]
Allah has made all pure and beneficial things permissible for mankind, whether related to eating, drinking, housing, or transportation. Only harmful things are forbidden—those detrimental to one’s body, intellect, wealth, honor, or faith, because these five aspects are of utmost importance for human well-being and must be safeguarded. Allah says:
"He allows them as lawful what is good and pure and prohibits them from what is foul and impure."
[Surah Al-A'raf: 157]
Freedom to Enjoy Lawful Things:
This Hadith shows that it is permissible to enjoy the lawful things of this world as long as one does not exceed the limits. No one can claim that only certain people may enjoy these blessings while others cannot, or that there are strict limitations on the extent to which one can use them. Allah says:
"It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth."
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 29]
"Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good things of His provision?"
[Surah Al-A'raf: 32]
Limits on Consumption:
These permissible things become impermissible when they are consumed in excess. For example, eating or drinking too much can harm one’s body and health, or spending excessively on food, drink, or charity can lead to financial hardship. Showing off or aiming to outdo others in consumption, clothing, or charity is also prohibited by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Guidance on Moderation:
The limit for eating and drinking is explained in a Hadith narrated by Miqdad bin Ma’di Karib (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"No man fills a container worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to keep him standing. If he must eat more, then let him fill one-third with food, one-third with drink, and one-third with air."
[Tirmidhi, Book of Asceticism, Hadith 47 – Authentic]
If someone is extremely hungry or thirsty, they may eat or drink more, as was the case when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) to drink repeatedly after experiencing severe hunger, until he could drink no more.
[Sahih Bukhari 6452]
Extravagance in Clothing:
Excess in clothing includes wearing garments that drag below the ankles, wearing silk for men, imitating women, or adopting the styles of non-believers.
Extravagance in Charity:
Allah warns against excessive spending in charity in His command:
"Do not make your hand as chained to your neck nor extend it completely and thereby become blamed and insolvent."
[Surah Al-Isra: 29]
This verse applies not only to charity but also to excessive spending on food, drink, clothing, and other affairs. Overstepping this boundary leads to extravagance.
In summary, the Islamic principle of moderation applies to all aspects of life, whether in consumption, clothing, or charity. Exceeding these limits leads to wastefulness, which is strongly discouraged in Islam.
Narrated by Amr bin Shu'aib from his father, from his grandfather (may Allah be pleased with them):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Eat, drink, wear clothes, and give charity without extravagance or arrogance."
[Reported by Abu Dawood and Ahmad, and Bukhari narrated it in a suspended form]
References:
- Bukhari (Suspended) [Chapter on Clothing, 1]
- Ahmad [2/181, 182]
- Abu Dawood
Vocabulary:
- "Sarf" and "Israf": Both mean exceeding the proper limits in speech or action. These terms are frequently used to denote excessive spending. Allah warns the heirs of a murdered person by saying, "But let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life." (Surah Al-Isra: 33) and in another verse, "Eat and drink, but do not be excessive." (Surah Al-A'raf: 31)
- "Mukhila": A term derived from the root for pride or arrogance. It refers to the disease that arises when a person becomes obsessed with their own perceived virtues, leading to arrogance.
Lessons:
Permissibility of Good Things:Allah has made all pure and beneficial things permissible for mankind, whether related to eating, drinking, housing, or transportation. Only harmful things are forbidden—those detrimental to one’s body, intellect, wealth, honor, or faith, because these five aspects are of utmost importance for human well-being and must be safeguarded. Allah says:
"He allows them as lawful what is good and pure and prohibits them from what is foul and impure."
[Surah Al-A'raf: 157]
Freedom to Enjoy Lawful Things:
This Hadith shows that it is permissible to enjoy the lawful things of this world as long as one does not exceed the limits. No one can claim that only certain people may enjoy these blessings while others cannot, or that there are strict limitations on the extent to which one can use them. Allah says:
"It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth."
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 29]
"Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good things of His provision?"
[Surah Al-A'raf: 32]
Limits on Consumption:
These permissible things become impermissible when they are consumed in excess. For example, eating or drinking too much can harm one’s body and health, or spending excessively on food, drink, or charity can lead to financial hardship. Showing off or aiming to outdo others in consumption, clothing, or charity is also prohibited by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Guidance on Moderation:
The limit for eating and drinking is explained in a Hadith narrated by Miqdad bin Ma’di Karib (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"No man fills a container worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to keep him standing. If he must eat more, then let him fill one-third with food, one-third with drink, and one-third with air."
[Tirmidhi, Book of Asceticism, Hadith 47 – Authentic]
If someone is extremely hungry or thirsty, they may eat or drink more, as was the case when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) to drink repeatedly after experiencing severe hunger, until he could drink no more.
[Sahih Bukhari 6452]
Extravagance in Clothing:
Excess in clothing includes wearing garments that drag below the ankles, wearing silk for men, imitating women, or adopting the styles of non-believers.
Extravagance in Charity:
Allah warns against excessive spending in charity in His command:
"Do not make your hand as chained to your neck nor extend it completely and thereby become blamed and insolvent."
[Surah Al-Isra: 29]
This verse applies not only to charity but also to excessive spending on food, drink, clothing, and other affairs. Overstepping this boundary leads to extravagance.
In summary, the Islamic principle of moderation applies to all aspects of life, whether in consumption, clothing, or charity. Exceeding these limits leads to wastefulness, which is strongly discouraged in Islam.