Scholars Call Excessive Spending For The Hari Raya 'UnIslamic'
By Shafiyi Azahari

Bandar Seri Begawan - Religious scholars have advised Bruneian Muslims against lavish preparations for the Hari Raya celebration,, describing the the wastage of financial resources as a sin.

Expressing worries about the tendency among Bruneians to splurge for Hari Raya, the scholars said the act did not reflect the true meaning of the religious celebration which signified Muslims' success in Ramadan.

Citing verse 27 of Surah alIsraa of the Quran, the scholars also said excessive spending led to wastage, which was the practice of the devil.

Head of Syaria and Islamic Studies at Insitute Tahfiz Al Qur'an Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Haji Sadini bin Haji -Sujak, said Muslims should always be moderate-in their celebrations.

"We don't have to change the curtains every year, he said. "It might not be new but as long as it is clean and we can use, it's OK." The religious scholar also said that Muslims must change their mentality on celebrating Hari Raya.

"Hari Raya is not a day for us to show off our new furniture. It is for us to spend time with our family and friends. What is important is our sincerity in hosting our guests. So we need not be embarrassed with our not so new furniture," he said.

He also reminded Muslims not to be lured by the ongoing sales.

"Don't forget of Allah's numerous rewards no matter how attractive the offers may be, "he said.

He expressed regret that many Muslims will go to lengths just to buy new things for Hari Raya. "Remember it is our sincerity that Allah seek. Nothing else matters," he added.

Agreeing with him was Ustaz Haji Saharuddin bin Haji Petra who teaches religious studies at Hasannal Bolkiah Arabic Boys Secondary School.

He said he has seen people buying an abundance cookies and cakes for Hari Raya which ends up in the being thrown away. He said the skewered concept of Hari Raya celebration may be due to lack of understanding of the Ramadan.

Ramadan is not all about not eating and drinking during the daytime, but to purify the mind and soul. On the issue of excessive spending, the religious teacher said membazir or wastage not only refers to money but also time.

This would mean that if one waste time on sleeping instead of doing beneficial work, that would be unlslamic, he added.

"So try not to sleep a lot during daytime of Ramadan, or go around shops and spend on things which is unnecessary," said the teacher.

Instead, he advised, one can use the free time to volunteer work like teaching children reading the Quran.

Ramadan is also a month where helping hands in any way possible is encouraged and some people thinks that cash is everything in helping others.

He reminded Muslims the concept of sedekah or giving charity in Islam is not entirely limited to money.

"Sedekah is encouraged, even smiling is a sedekah, also Holy Quran recitation or even helping hands," explained Ustaz Hj Sadini.He further explained that the act of kindness can be in many form other than cash such as unused clothes which still can be used and even educating childrens.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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