ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Ahlul-Bayt; Ethical Role-Models Stinginess Stinginess stands for the abstention from giving in situations of generosity. It is the opposite of generosity and among the mean features that cause humility, hatred, and disgrace. Islam has censured and warned the Muslims strongly against stinginess: “It is you who are asked to spend for the cause of Allah, but some of you behave in a niggardly way. Whoever behaves miserly does so against his own soul.

Allah is Self-sufficient and you are poor (47:38).” “The stingy ones who try to make others stingy or those who hide the favors that Allah has bestowed on them. We have prepared a humiliating torment for the disbelievers (4:37).” “Those who are avaricious of the favors that Allah has given them should not think that this is good for them.

Avarice is evil and whatever they are avaricious about will be tied to their necks on the Day of Judgment (3:180).” Imam as-Sadiq narrated on the authority of his fathers that Amirul-Mu'minin (a) once heard a man saying that stinginess is less forgivable than wronging. The Imam commented: “No, this is a lie. A wrong man may repent, seek Allah’s forgiveness, and correct his mistakes.

But when one behaves in a stingy mood, he will not defray the zakat and almsgiving, will not regard his relatives, will not receive the guests hospitably, and will not spend his fortune in the cause of Allah and in the fields of charity. Paradise is forbidden for the stingy[^1].” “I wonder at the stingy who speeds towards the very destitution from which he wants to run away and misses the very ease of life which he covets.

Consequently, he passes his life like the destitute, but will have to render an account in the next world like the rich[^2].” Disadvantages of Stinginess Stinginess causes malice and hatred of the close as well as the foreigners. The closest individuals of the stingy may hope were he dead, because he deprives them of his fortune and they expect greedily to inherit him.

Besides, the stingy is the most tiring: he exerts all efforts for collecting fortunes, but he does not enjoy them, because he very soon leaves all the fortunes to the heirs. Hence, “he passes his life in this world like the destitute, but will have to render an account in the next world like the rich.” Forms of Stinginess All forms of stinginess are abominable; yet, there is a variance among them.