RAMADAN: DO NOT WASTE

Waste is one of the sins that wrong-doers have fallen into. It is not the custom of those who revere Allah. Allah the Almighty has forbidden us to waste:

“And it is He Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and date palms, and crops of different shapes and taste and olives, and pomegranates similar (in kind) and different (in taste). Eat of their fruit when they ripen, and pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest, and waste not by extravagance. Verily, He likes not those who waste by extravagance.”

(Surah Al-An’am:141)

Many people waste a great deal in Ramadan.

Amongst the various forms of waste that people participate in during this month are: the preparation of excessive foods that go beyond our needs; consuming many different varieties of food and drink; loading dining tables morning and evening with more than can be consumed, most of which is left to spoil or thrown away.

O you who fast! Beware of extravagance and waste! There are many poor and needy people amongst the Muslims. We should give whatever we have in excess to them. Allah says of his servants:

“And they give food, in spite of their love for it, to the Miskin (the poor), the orphan and the captive, (saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. Verily, we fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible.”

(Surah Al-Insan:8-10)

Excessive sleep above normal needs, especially during the day, is another form of waste in Ramadan. Many people turn their fasts into times of slumber and this wastes one of our most precious commodities – time. Many people also waste valuable time by excessive socializing with no benefit during Ramadan. In this way, their valuable days are lost. Others lose their time in entertainments and recreation. Will we not take the time to remember Allah?

Wealth is also wasted on excessive spending on Eid al-Fitr, with many Muslims incurring expenses that are beyond their means to pay. Large amounts of money are spent on food, clothing, games and toys and other fruitless items, when the same people are not generous when it comes to giving charity.

O you who Allah has blessed with wealth! Know that there are poor, needy and orphans amongst our communities. Will you not then feed the hungry and clothe the poor? Will you not build a mosque? Will you not contact someone with whom your relationship is broken? Will you not relieve the distress of one who is afflicted? There are so many ways to gain the pleasure of Allah during Ramadan, we should strive to do good deeds, and be careful not to earn Allah’s anger during this month by wasting the blessings that He has bestowed on us.