Exploring Isrāf and Idhā‘ah Beyond Material Wealth: Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions

Abstract

This study explores the concepts of Isrāf (extravagance) and Idhā‘ah (wastefulness or negligent misuse) as integral components of Islamic ethical thought. While these notions are commonly interpreted within the context of material excess, this research argues that their implications extend far beyond economic behavior, encompassing non-material and spiritual dimensions of human life. Through a qualitative analysis of Qur’ānic injunctions, Prophetic traditions, and the views of classical and contemporary scholars, the paper examines how Isrāf and Idhā‘ah manifest in areas such as belief (ʿAqīdah), worship (ʿIbādah), time management (Waqt), intellectual engagement (ʿIlm), and communication (Kalām). The study contends that indulgence or negligence in these domains constitutes a breach of Amānah (trust), undermining the divine balance (Mīzān) that Islam seeks to maintain in individual and collective life. It concludes that adopting Hikmah (wisdom) and Iʿtidāl (moderation) as guiding principles can prevent ethical wastefulness, promote spiritual discipline, and strengthen social harmony in accordance with Islamic moral philosophy.