Prodigality in Islamic Jurisprudence

Abstract

The provision of one’s prodigality is one of the most dangerous cases and issues that occupied the mind of Islamic jurists over time between a cautious jurist in achieving his aims, strict in his terms, and latent and licensed in that, because of what results from describing a human with prodigality which is primarily reflected on the restriction of his freedom in financial behaviors and business dealings with others. Accordingly, the present study aims to unveil this key topic aiming to clarify the concept of prodigality that necessitates quarantining the one described with it, restricting his freedom to protect his money from loss, and filing the pretext of his abusers. This shows how precious the Islamic shariah is, and how accurate its jurists are to protect the interests of all groups within society. The study adopted the descriptive, analytical, and comparative approach between different schools of Islamic Jurisprudence. This study reached several results, the most important of which is that prodigality has two components: material that exceeds the limit and moral with the intent of destruction. It also found that wastefulness and extravagance do not have the same meaning, and they are not only related to prohibitions, but they are far beyond the deities and the permissible. In addition, it found that males and females can be described as prodigality, and it does not have to raise money, but it is preferable. The most important recommendation of the study it is necessary to officially examine the concept of prodigality at the Islamic state level by holding international conferences of Islamic Economics that call for consumption smoothing and combating wastefulness in all its forms, whether legislative or advocative. It is also recommended to spread the culture of rational consumption at the level of individuals, families, and society, considering saving money one of the most comprehensive purposes necessary in Islam.