Fatwa ID: 08592

 

 

Answered by Maulana Kawsar Ahmed

 

Question:

 

I want to know what exactly is simplicity that islam teaches and what prophet pbuh said. Some scholars give a fatwa that simplicity is not living a  luxurious life , if this is correct then allah swt said” who has forbidden Allah’s adornments “ and we know there many natural things that are luxurious. Hence i am very confused.

 

Can you please tell me is living in good(luxury) home and having good car and etc are haram and against simplicity? Also If you could please explain the hadith “simplicity is part of faith”?

 

 

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer:

 

In Islam, simplicity doesn’t mean abandoning all worldly comforts, but living with moderation and prioritizing spiritual values over materialism. Allah does not forbid luxury or beauty in life, as seen in the Qur’an and as you rightly mentioned:

 

“Say: ‘Who has forbidden the adornments of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of provision?'” (Qur’an, 7:32)[1]

 

This verse affirms that enjoying materialistic blessings, such as a comfortable home or car, is permissible as long as they don’t distract you from your relationship with Allah.

 

Key Points on Luxury in Islam:

• Luxury is not haram unless it leads to excessiveness or neglect of spiritual obligations.
• Simplicity means having the right attitude—avoiding attachment to wealth, and using blessings in moderation, without letting them lead to arrogance, greed, or neglecting the poor.
• Wealth and comfort are not forbidden, but Allah’s pleasure comes from using those blessings for gratitude, charity, and humility.

 

 

Hadith on Simplicity:

 

Contentment over excess:

“Richness is not having many possessions, but richness is being content with what you have.” (Sahih Bukhari)[2]

 

Focus on the heart, not the outward show:

“Whoever drags his garment out of pride, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgment.”(Sahih BukharI)[3]

 

Balance and humility:

“The strong person is not the one who can overpower others, but the one who controls himself when angry.” (Sahih Muslim)[4]

 

Simplicity is part of faith:

“Simplicity is part of faith.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)[5]
This hadith highlights that simplicity is not about deprivation, but about living with contentment and focusing on spiritual growth.

 

Conclusion:

 

Living in comfort or enjoying luxuries is not haram, but the key is moderation and a mindful attitude towards wealth. Wealth should never become an obsession or cause one to neglect worship or community responsibilities. True richness in Islam is about contentment and using blessings in service to Allah and others.

 

 

 

 

 

References:

 

[1]﴿ قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ ۚ قُلْ هِيَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا خَالِصَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ﴾

[ الأعراف: 32]

 

[2] ٦٤٤٦ – حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَصِينٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «لَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ.»

ص95 – كتاب صحيح البخاري ط السلطانية – باب الغنى غنى النفس – المكتبة الشاملة

 

[3] ٣٦٦٥  حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُقَاتِلٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: «مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلَاءَ، لَمْ يَنْظُرِ اللهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ: إِنَّ أَحَدَ شِقَّيْ ثَوْبِي يَسْتَرْخِي، إِلَّا أَنْ أَتَعَاهَدَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ تَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ خُيَلَاءَ».

ص6 – كتاب صحيح البخاري ط السلطانية – باب حدثنا الحميدي ومحمد بن عبد الله – المكتبة الشاملة

 

[4] ١٠٧ – (٢٦٠٩) حدثنا يحيى بن يحيى وعبد الأعلى بن حماد. قالا، كلاهما: قرأت على مالك عن ابن شهاب، عن سعيد بْنِ الْمُسَيِّبِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ؛ أَنّ رَسُولَ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال “ليس الشديد بالصرعة. إنما الشديد الذي يملك نفسه عند الغضب”.

ص2014 – كتاب صحيح مسلم ت عبد الباقي – باب فضل من يملك نفسه عند الغضب وبأي شيء يذهب الغضب – المكتبة الشاملة

 

[5] ٤١١٨ – كَثِيرُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ الْحِمْصِيُّ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ بْنُ سُوَيْدٍ، عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ الْحَارِثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الْبَذَاذَةُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ» ، قَالَ: الْبَذَاذَةُ الْقَشَافَةُ، يَعْنِي التَّقَشُّفَ

ص1379 – كتاب سنن ابن ماجه ت عبد الباقي – باب من لا يؤبه له – المكتبة الشاملة

 

 

 

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Kawsar Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham