What is the Quran’s perspective on wastefulness and extravagance (Israaf) ?

The religion of Islam is the religion of life and its precepts and rules set the grounds for human felicity and success, both for the individual, as well as the society. Islam has brought forth a complete program for every facet of human life and has advised balance and moderation to its followers in all affairs.

1- Physical harm to the body: exceeding the limits in eating and drinking bring great harm to the body. According to physicians today, overeating and drinking too much are one of the main causes of various illnesses and diseases. This is something which was emphasized by the Imams (a) many centuries ago. The Quran also warns the believers against israaf (extravagance) in eating and drinking:

'کُلُوا وَ اشْرَبُوا وَ لا تُسْرِفُوا، إِنَّهُ لا یحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِین'
Eat and drink, but do not waste; indeed, He does not like the wasteful. {1}

2- The wrath of God:

انه لایحب المسرفین
indeed, He does not like the wasteful. {2}

Imam Sadiq (a) has said the following in regards to israaf:

'ان السرف امر یبغضه الله'

which means:

'Israaf is subject to God's wrath. {3}

'کُلُوا وَ اشْرَبُوا وَ لا تُسْرِفُوا، إِنَّهُ لا یحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِین'
 '… eat and drink, but do not waste; indeed, He does not like the wasteful. {1}

3- A decrease in blessings: Israaf causes the blessings to decrease in one's life and to eventually die out completely:

'اِنَّ مَعَ الاسْرافِ قِلَّةَ الْبَرَکَت

which means:

Israaf comes hand in hand with a decrease in the blessings. {4}

4- Being deprived of guidance: God tells the doers of israaf:

'إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا یَهْدی مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ کَذَّابٌ',

which means:

Verily God does not guide the doers of israaf and the liars. {5}

1) Surah A'raaf, Verse 31.
2) Surah A'raaf, Verse 31.
3) Kāfī, vol. 7, p. 339.
4) Kafi, vol. 4, p. 55.
5) Surah Ghaafir, Verse 28.