Asma and I wandered through the market on Saturday. We were shopping for scarves as all of mine were torn or faded. We saw many displays, but they were too fancy and expensive for my taste.
“Asma, look at this!” I pointed, finally coming across a simple yet elegant scarf.
But Asma was already distracted. She had run to another stall and was demanding the price of a dazzling gold bracelet. Her eyes sparkled. “I have to buy this!”
I hesitated. “We’re not here for this.”
“I know, but it’s beautiful,” she replied, holding it to her wrist. “Doesn’t it look brilliant?”
I sighed. “But aren’t you always reminding me to be mindful of how I spend? Didn’t you tell me that hadith just yesterday that:
‘The son of Adam will not be dismissed on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about his wealth and how he spent it?”
She frowned and reluctantly gripped the bracelet tighter. “But I can afford it, and I really want it.”
I smiled gently. “But do you need it?
She paused, eyeing the dazzling jewelry. I pressed on. “It’s excessive spending can lead to wastefulness, which Islam warns against. Allah says in the Qur’an,
Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils (Surah Al-Isra 17:27).”
She hesitated, her fingers brushing the bracelet. “But it makes me happy.”
I placed a reassuring hand on hers. “True happiness isn’t in things. How about using this money for something more rewarding—like sadaqah?”
Her expression softened. “You always make me think differently,” she chuckled.
We walked past the shop, our hearts lighter. Instead of an extravagant purchase, we decided to give to charity.
Moment of reflection:
How many of us have plenty of stuff we bought for a moment’s pleasure that sits in our cupboards all year long and is never used?
What will be the right thing to do with such items that will only become our burden on the day of judgement?
Think wisely before buying.
