Israf
إسراف
Pronunciation: is-RAHF
Extravagance: spending beyond need or reason, prohibited in the Qur'an and central to Islamic personal finance.
Definition
Wasteful or excessive consumption, including spending on permissible things beyond reasonable need. The Qur'an pairs the command to eat and drink with the warning not to be extravagant (7:31) and describes the servants of the Merciful as neither extravagant nor stingy (25:67).
Israf is distinct from tabdhir (squandering on what is itself sinful or useless), and from generosity, which is praised. In personal finance it is the principle behind budgeting, avoiding debt for consumption, and treating wealth as a trust to be used proportionately.
Related Terms
Falahفلاح
Success and well-being in this life and the hereafter - the ultimate objective of Islamic economic activity.
Amanaأمانة
Trust or safekeeping - a fiduciary relationship in Islamic finance.
Sadaqahصدقة
Voluntary charitable giving - distinct from obligatory zakat.
Daynدين
Debt: a fixed obligation owed by one party to another, which Islamic law protects but forbids trading for profit.
GCCمجلس التعاون الخليجي
The six-country Gulf Cooperation Council - the world's most concentrated Islamic finance region.
Halalحلال
Permissible under Islamic law - in finance, products and transactions that comply with Shariah principles.
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Israf (إسراف) - Extravagance: spending beyond need or reason, prohibited in the Qur'an and central to Islamic personal finance. Wasteful or excessive consumption, including spending on permissible things beyond reasonable need. The Qur'an pairs the command to eat and drink with the warning not to be extravagant (7:31) and describes the servants of the Merciful as neither extravagant nor stingy (25:67).
- Extravagance: spending beyond need or reason, prohibited in the Qur'an and central to Islamic personal finance.
- Category: General
- Related: Falah, Amana, Sadaqah, Dayn, GCC, Halal
- Compare related Shariah-compliant products on HalalWallet
Source: HalalWallet (halalwallet.ca)
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Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-10-01
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