Fatwa ID: 04439
Answered by: Maulana Abrarul H. Hasib
Question:
What are the rules and regulations on spending money in Islam? What is haram spending and what is halal spending of money?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
It has not been stipulated in the shariah that such and such amount must be paid for optional spendings. {1}
Allah Ta'ala says, "And they ask you what (how much) they ought to spend. Say, "(Spend) That which is easy (extra wealth that exceeds your needs)." {2}
Jabir (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with him) reported:
A person from the Banu 'Udhra set a slave free after his death. This news reached the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him). Upon this, he said: Have you any property besides it? He said: No. Upon this, he said: Who would buy (this slave) from me? Nulaim b. Abdullah bought it for eight hundred dirhams and (this amount was) brought to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) who returned it to him (the owner), and then said: Start with your own self and spend it on yourself, and if anything is left, it should be spent on your family, and if anything is left (after meeting the needs of the family), it should be spent on relatives, and if anything is left from the family, it should be spent like this, like this. And he was saying: In front of you, on your right and on your left. {6}
Abu Huraira reported that there came a person to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) and said:
Messenger of Allah, which charity is the best? Upon this he said: That you should give charity (in a state when you are) healthy and close-fisted, one haunted by the fear of poverty, hoping to become rich (charity in such a state of health and mind is the best). And you must not defer (charity to such a length) that you are about to die and would he be saying: This is for so and so, and this is for so and so. Lo, it has already come into (the possession of so and so).{7}
Allah Ta'ala says, "Assist each other in good works and Taqwa." {3}
Some of the Conditions and etiquettes are as follows:
1] Spender should be Baligh (Mature).
2] Spender should have the correct intention.
3] The money should be Halal not Haram and doubtful.
4] Spender should spend secretly to the best of his ability.
5] Not be reminders of your generosity.
6] Not causing any hurt to the recipient.
7] It is best to spend on pious people.
8] Do not be extravagant.
9] Do not spend in avenues that are wasteful.
10] He should give (Teebun Nafs) in kindheartedness.
11] No intention of flaunting (showing off).
12] Should have the intention of earning rewards and attain the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. {4}
Allah Ta'ala says, "And not assist each other in sin and transgression." {3}
Haram spendings of money are as follows:
1] Spending in the disobedience of Allah Ta'ala.
2] Spending in the (Ma'siyat) insubordination of Allah Ta'ala.
3] Spending in evil and immorality.
4] Spending in the (Fasad) Corruption.
5] Spending on (Batil) False. {5}
{1} Qamoosul Fiqh, Vol 4, Pg. 222, ZamZam Publishers.
{2} [Surah Al-Baqarah 219]
{3} [Surah Maa'idah 2]
{4} Al Mausu'ah Al Fiqhiyah Al Kuwaitiyah, Vol 26, Pg. 326, Wazarat Awqaf Wash Shuo'onul Islamiyyah.
{5} Safwatul Tafaseer, Vol 2, Pg. 153, Darul Hadith.
{6} Saheeh Muslim 1737, Vol 1, Pg. 322, Qadimi Kutub Khana.
{7} Saheeh Muslim 1032, Vol 1, Pg. 332, Qadimi Kutub Khana.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Abrarul H. Hasib
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
