Authored by: Dr. Rida Abdullah Pasha ḥafiẓahullāh
Is the thought of stinginess from Shayṭān?
Allah Almighty states:
الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاءِ ۖ وَاللَّـهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَاللَّـهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٨﴾
“Shayṭān threatens you with poverty and commands you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.”
[Al-Baqarah: 268]
Shayṭān instills fear of poverty in a person’s heart, so that he refrains from spending in the path of Allah. He whispers the thought that if you spend your wealth, you will become poor and needy.
However, Allah Almighty provides reassurance to every believer through this noble verse, making it clear that spending in His cause does not lead to poverty.
✔ Shayṭān's tactic is to deceive the believer with fear of financial loss, urging him toward stinginess and immoral withholding.
✔ In contrast, Allah promises His mercy and immense bounty, encouraging the believer to give generously.
✔ Allah’s treasures are vast and inexhaustible—they never diminish, no matter how much is given.
✔ Therefore, stinginess is indeed a result of Shayṭān’s whisperings, while generosity stems from faith in Allah’s promises and His limitless provision.
❖ Question:
Is the thought of stinginess from Shayṭān?
❖ Answer:
Allah Almighty states:
الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاءِ ۖ وَاللَّـهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَاللَّـهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٨﴾
“Shayṭān threatens you with poverty and commands you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.”
[Al-Baqarah: 268]
❖ Explanation:
Shayṭān instills fear of poverty in a person’s heart, so that he refrains from spending in the path of Allah. He whispers the thought that if you spend your wealth, you will become poor and needy.
However, Allah Almighty provides reassurance to every believer through this noble verse, making it clear that spending in His cause does not lead to poverty.
❖ Key Points:
✔ Shayṭān's tactic is to deceive the believer with fear of financial loss, urging him toward stinginess and immoral withholding.
✔ In contrast, Allah promises His mercy and immense bounty, encouraging the believer to give generously.
✔ Allah’s treasures are vast and inexhaustible—they never diminish, no matter how much is given.
✔ Therefore, stinginess is indeed a result of Shayṭān’s whisperings, while generosity stems from faith in Allah’s promises and His limitless provision.
