Frugality

Indeed, provision manifests itself in two forms.

The first is true sustenance, which is sufficient for survival. As the verse declares, this provision is guaranteed by the Sustainer. So long as a person’s misuse of free will does not interfere, he will certainly receive the necessities required to live, without being compelled to sacrifice his faith, his honor, or his self-respect.

The second is figurative sustenance, in which secondary wants are, through needless extravagance, mistaken for necessities. Through destructive habits and social convention, people become attached to these desires and are no longer able to abandon them. Since this type of provision is not guaranteed by the Sustainer, obtaining it—especially in our own age—comes at a great cost. One often begins by sacrificing one’s honor and accepting humiliation in pursuit of worldly gain. Sometimes one is reduced to what is, in effect, begging, kissing the feet of the vile. At other times, one sacrifices one’s eternal life by trading away the sacred values of religion.

In these times of poverty and hardship, those whose consciences remain alive deeply feel the suffering of the hungry and needy. The pain they experience at witnessing the misery of others spoils whatever pleasure might be derived from wealth acquired through unlawful means. Therefore, especially in extraordinary times such as these, one should be content with only the bare minimum when dealing with doubtful wealth or doubtful goods.

As expressed by the legal principle,

 اِنَّ الضَّرُورَةَ تُقَدَّرُ بِقَدْرِهَاNecessity is assessed according to its extent.

necessity is measured according to its extent. Thus, if one is compelled to resort to unlawful means, only the amount strictly required by necessity may be taken and no more. Indeed, a person with no alternative may eat prohibited meat only to preserve life, not until fully satisfied. Likewise, it is unbecoming to indulge freely in excessive food while a hundred hungry people stand before you.

The following incident illustrates that frugality is a source of dignity and true nobility.

One day, Hātim at-TāīA pre-Islamic Arab renowned for his extraordinary generosity, whose name became synonymous with hospitality and selfless giving., renowned throughout the world for his generosity, hosted an extravagant banquet. After lavishing gifts upon his guests, he went out into the desert for a walk. There he encountered an elderly poor man carrying on his back a bundle of thorny shrubs and thistles that had scratched his skin until it bled.

Hātim said to him, “Hātim at-TāīA pre-Islamic Arab renowned for his extraordinary generosity, whose name became synonymous with hospitality and selfless giving. is hosting a magnificent feast and distributing gifts. Join the banquet, and instead of carrying that bundle worth only a few coins, you will receive five hundred coins.”

The frugal old man replied, “I would rather carry this bundle of thorns with my dignity than place myself under obligation to Hātim at-TāīA pre-Islamic Arab renowned for his extraordinary generosity, whose name became synonymous with hospitality and selfless giving..”

Later, people asked Hātim at-TāīA pre-Islamic Arab renowned for his extraordinary generosity, whose name became synonymous with hospitality and selfless giving., “Have you ever met anyone more honorable and noble than yourself?”

He answered, “Yes. The frugal old man whom I met in the desert was, in my eyes, more honorable, more elevated, and more noble than I am.”