The ManicaPost
“WHEN they spend, they are neither extravagant nor miserly, but choose a middle path between those (extremes) . . . ” (Chapter 25 : 67)
This is part of lengthy verse which describes the characteristics of those who work towards achieving success and happiness in this world as well as in the Hereafter.
It is vital that before we spend, we bear in mind how much we earn. This will assist us to budget accordingly.
We also need to look carefully into what our basic requirements are and hence prioritise in a wise and firm manner. This will assist us in attending to the necessities of life before going into any extras and/or luxuries.
We should also look into the standard of life that WE fit into and acknowledge it. This will assist us to adjust our tastes and indeed our expenditure to suite our income. We need not try to live beyond our means at any time and we definitely need not try to imitate others who may be living life “large”.
In the same breath we must realise that unnecessary borrowing and / or begging just to live up to standards that do not conform to ours are highly detested practices. In fact developing a taste for that which we cannot afford or may not be able to maintain is most detrimental to our long term happiness.
Overspending and impulsive spending on all sorts of luxuries are the seeds of uncontrolled greed which grow into countless bad habits that can change the personality of a person and destroy his contentment.
Similarly going to the other extreme of being miserly when one has the means to cover the needs and necessities for oneself and ones dependants will surely prove to be detrimental in the long run. In order to achieve lasting happiness and contentment, we need to maintain the middle course at all times.
For further information on Islam please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Publications Department,
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 0242- 614078 / 614004 e mail : [email protected]
