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 SHARIAH PERSPECTIVES ON CONSUMPTION/SAVINGS BEHAVIOURIsmail Yurdakokismailyurdakok@gmail.comSummaryThe balance of consumption/savings is very important in Islam.There areinteresting examples in Quran.The Prophet Solomon was the richest man of the worldand the most obedient man of his time and his palace was from crystal.If a muslimgives the zakat’s of his/her wealth,it is permissible to have great amount ofsavings,but destroying reason is “to be arrogant”.He (Qarun) said “ I have beengiven it (this huge wealth) only for my knowledge” (Qasas,78) That is “I workedand I earned” He had forgotten God’s help.The companions used to buy meat from thevillagers (Bukhari,K.Buyu),but Umar’s RA warning “do not eat (much)meat,because...”(Muwatta’). Muslims used to spend money for garments and cosmeticsin the middle measurements.Textile,cosmetics and pearl industries were thetraditional industries for muslims in long centuries of history.Prohibited foodswere/are very few for muslims.There was an active useful consumption in Islamiccommunity.Transformation of savings to development is important for “end poverty”and underdeveloped countries have to walk on this way.ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES ON CONSUMPTION/SAVINGS BEHAVIOURFirst,we will look at the verses of Quran in this subjectIslam does not avoid to see the needings of man:eating,drinking,trading:“And they say: “What sort of Prophet is this? He eats food and he walks inmarkets...”(Chapter of Furqan,verse,7). All of the prophets were in themarket(place)s,they were not ignore from the trading/business life. “And We neversent prophets befor you (O Muhammad),who did not eat food,and walk in themarkets...(Furqan,20) Although human kind was not sent to this world only eatingand drinking (but to worship to God) but God did not put a lot of prohibitions ineating and drinking: “O Prophet! Why do you forbid that which Allah (God) has madelawful to you,..” (Tahreym,1); “(He (God) has forbidden for you only carrion,bloodand the meat of of pork;also any (meat) consecrated in the name of any butAllah...”(Nahl,115).Allah also had permitted the eating of all things in paradisefor Adam,except one: “(Then Allah commanded): “O Adam! Dwell you and your wife inthe Paradise,and eat as you wish,but come not near to this tree,lest you becomewrongdoers.”(A’raf,19) The command of Allah “(Do not approach to this tree) in ourtime is alcoholic drinks,pork for muslims that only a few things.We do not see“Dietism of Indian ” (like in some spiritualists of India)or “Dietism orvegetarianism of western world” in Islamic resources.Eating from different foodsis not a sin in Islam.From this (consumption)viewpoint there is an activecirculation in the Islamic markets.
 
TO EAT FRUITSEating different kinds of fruits is not a sin for muslims. “(In the paradise)Their fruits will resemble what had been given them before (in the world)..(Baqara,25) “And thereby He (Allah) brings up for you corn,olives,date-palms,grapes and every kind of fruit..”Nahl,11)We have to notice that Islamic state have to permit to import of some foods fromthe other countries that this trading will serve to mutual trading ininternational markets.Olive oil was an imported food in that days but it wasencouraged in Quran: “And a tree that sprouts (grows) on Mount Sinai that yieldsoil and relish for the eaters.(Mu’memun,20)There are 32 verses about animal husbandry in Quran that the consumption of meatand diary products and juice (industry) are incouraged:“And in cattle (too) you have a lesson.We (God) give you to drink of that which isin their bellies,between bowels and blood,pure milk,palatable for those whodrink.”(Nahl,66)“And of the fruits of the date-palm and grapes from which you drive drink and(also) good nourishment.Surely in this there is a sign for a people who use theirintelligence.”(Nahl,67)And encouragement of eating honey: “...There comes forth out of their (bee)bellies a fluid of many hues,wherein is healing for mankind...”(Nahl,69) We knowhoney is a rich source of nourishment it also helps to protect the body againstdisease.And consumption of fruits, vegetables,olive,meat,milk,cheese,honey aresources of jobs for unemployeds. TWO VERSES OF MAEDAH“O you who believe! Forbid not the good things which Allah has made lawful foryou,and do not transgress...” “Eat of that which Allah has bestowed on you as foodlawful and fear from Allah (to do wrong acts)...(Maedah,87-8) A famous eventthat,the companions Ali,Ibn Mas’ud,Meqdad (R.A) gathered together at the home ofUthman ıbn Maz’un,and resolved to fast every day,to pray throughout every night,torenounce sexual relations,to renounce meat,and to wear shabby clothes for theremainder of their lives.When the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) heard about this heimmediately came to visit them,saying: “Your body has rights over you,and your eyehas rights over you,and your wife has rights over you.You should fast and pray,butalso eat and sleep.I pray some of the time,and I also sleep;I fast,and I break myfast; I eat meat, and I have relations with my wives.He who leaves my way,he isnot of me.”(Bukhari,K.Nekah) It was in this connection that the above two verseswere revealed.In an another event the Prophet had permitted to take secretly of her(miser)husband’s store that Hind (a woman companion) had asked this, for spendfor his/her children,the Prophet said: “Take for your and your cildren’s needaccording the common usage”(Bukhari,K.Buyu)WHAT ALLAH WANTSAllah wants to thank/to pray to Him (and not to do wrong acts) after we eat Hissustenance:“O Prophets! Eat of the wholesome (and lawful) things,and act withrighteousness,..”(Mumenun,51); “So eat of the lawful and good things which Allahhas provided for you,and give thanks for His favours,..(Nahl,114;Baqara,172)) “(We(God) said to the Children of Israel) “Eat and drink of that which Allah hasprovided,and do not make mischief in the earth.” (Baqara,60) “And when We (Allah)said, “Go into this town (Jerusalem) and eat where as you wish.Make your waythrough the gates by bowing down,saying: “We repent.” We (Allah) shall forgiveyour sins..”(Baqara,58)
 
WEARING GOOD CLOTHES,JEWELLERY“O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful adornment at every place of worship,andeat and drink,but do not be prodigal.For Allah loves not the prodigal.”(A’raf,31)In Islam,cleanliness and proper appearance is very important.Men and women shouldwear clean and sufficient attire.At times of worship (that is every day,becausemuslims go to the mosques five times every day, not only a few hours insundays,like in Christianity) every muslim should wear the most beautiful and themost clean clothes he possesses,as long as he is not extravagant.“Say: “Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has brought forth for Hisservants,and the good things of His providing?” These things are for believers forthis world,but especially (for them) in the Day of Resurrection..”(A’raf,32)One day a man came into the mosque but his man’s hairs and baird weredishevelled.The Prophet pointed to him “go out (from the mosque)” That the Prophetwanted from him to put right his hair and beard.The man improved his head andthen came..”(Muwatta’,K.Shaar,B.2),The Prophet saw a shepherd in an old costumes.Shepherd went to the sheep,theProphet asked Jaber : “Is not there any new costumes for him ?” Jaber said: “Thereare his spare new garments in his bag that I gave him, O Prophet” Prophet said:“Call him and say, he should wear his good clothes” Jaber called him,the shepherdwore new clothes (Muwatta’K.Lebas)Caliph Umar RA had said “When Allah give you an abundant wealth,you also shouldgive abundant to your body (as good garments etc.) (Bukhari,K.Salat,B.as Salat Fi-l Qameys) Umar also had said. “I like to look at a reader of Quran that he readsQuran in white (good) garment” (Muwatta’,K.Lebas,B.1)Textile industry in Islamic countries a traditional industry that adds a lot ofadded value for these economies.Allah does not want in the earth as naked likeanimals but:“ Allah is Who ...has given you garments to protect you from heat,and coats (ofarmour) to save you from your own violence...”(Nahl,81) The Prophet Muahammadinformed the measurement of men’s garment: “ a believer man’s skirts have to belong at least to middle of his leg.If he allows to heels,no sin for him.(But) What( a garment) is lower from heels, they are in the hell.Allah will not look at(with His compassion,mercy) a man in Doomsday who drags his skirts as a proud.(Abu Dawud,K.Lebas,B,7;Ibn Majeh,K.Lebas,B,27; Muvatta’,K.Lebas,B,5). Pearlindustry has been also a traditional industry for muslims in the long centuries:“And two seas are not equal;this,fresh,sweet,good to drink,this (other)bitter,salt.And from them both you eat fresh meat and derive theornament(pearl)that you wear.”(Fater,12; Nahl, 14) Trading of gold,diamond isnot a sin for muslims: “Pearls and corals come from both,which of your God’sblessings would you two deny ?” (Rahman,22-3) We know,after great depression in1929,the government of USA prohibited to have gold for its citizens,but Islamicstates have not put like a this prohibition even in critical times of thehistory.Although strong solidarity of Islamic communities is a famous reality,butwhen muslims give the zakats (religious annual tax) of their wealth,they can havegot gold and other jewelleries, in what amount, they wish.Great savings is notprohibited in Islam.But Islam gives great importance not to be proud.The Prophetprohibited to drink from silver pot that the reason is to avoid to become haughty.(Bukhari,K.Ashrebah,B,28;Muslim,K.K.Lebas wa-z Zeynat,B,1)In Islamic community,there is a high useful consumption rate.For example Islamencourages more population: “Do not kill (abortion etc.)your offspring for fear ofpoverty.It is We (God) Who provide for them,and for you.Indeed their killing is agreat sin.”(Esra,31) More population means more production,more firms,morecompanies,and as a result more employment.RAISING OF PROHIBITIONS
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