Eid extravagance is 'unIslamic', say scholars

A man stockpiles sacks of rice for distribution to the poor in Riyadh during Eid, a gesture called Zakat. A Muslim scholar says it is OK for a Muslim to spend on something important for himself, after paying Zakat and performing fard, as long as the intention is not to show off his wealth.

JEDDAH: FADIA JIFFRY

Published — Monday 12 August 2013

Last Update 12 August 2013 9:27 pm

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Scholars have condemned the lavish spending by some Muslims to celebrate Eid and during the weeks following the holidays, noting that it is forbidden in Islam. They said that spending activities during the past three days have gone "beyond the limits."
"Running behind materialism is haram in Islam," said Musaddeq Al-Amri, an Islamic scholar. "On special occasions, especially during the Eid festival in Saudi Arabia, the rich spend lavishly on expensive clothes, food, gifts and so on to show off their wealth. This is unacceptable in Islam."
Al-Amri said that after paying Zakat, helping the poor and fulfilling one's fard (Islamic term for religious duty), when a rich person wishes to spend on something important for himself, not with the intention of showing off his wealth, then it is acceptable. "We are taught as Muslims to be happy with what we have," said Al-Amri. "Eid is an occasion when most people —irrespective of their class — want to be known as having the best."
Al-Amri quoted an incident where he was invited for lunch on the Eid day with friends whom he usually meets at the mosque.
"The feast was extremely grand, although the host was not very rich. There was a huge crowd invited, numerous dishes were served and to add to that, waiters were hired to serve the guests."
He added: "Later, while we were talking, the host revealed that he had borrowed some money from a colleague to organize the feast and that he has time to repay it. Upon hearing this, I got a shock and I figured what my topic will be for my next sermon at the mosque."
Scholars denounce the habit of borrowing money in order to spend for petty reasons.
"An Eid celebration with new simple clothes, little food and loved ones around is very much appreciated and accepted by the Almighty. It is not a necessity to spend abundantly to show off or compete with others," said Mohammed Ghassan, imam at a mosque.
"A verse in the Qur'an teaches us to live our lives according to our means," said Sheikh Riyad Hakim, another Islamic scholar. "There is no harm in aiming for the sky, but if you cannot afford it, don't go for it."
Hakim advises that one must not compare oneself to those higher than one, rather than those lower than one. "An example is the famous advice: If you don't have shoes, look at those who don't have feet and be grateful to the Almighty."

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