June 29, 2010
The Miser
The following reminds me of the obsession with having enough savings that underlie our economic policies here in Singapore.
“The miser would argue that he hoards wealth to alleviate his fear of poverty.What is remarkable about this mindset is that the miser is never truly feels relieved of anxiety; a miser is constantly worried about money and devoted to servicing his worry.
…
The Prophet (s.a.w) once asked some clansmen about their leader. They mentioned his name and said, “But he is a bit of a miser.” The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “A leader should never be a miser.” And then he added, “Do you know of any disease that is worse than miserliness?”“
- Hamza Yusuf (2004), Miserliness in “Purification of the Heart” p25