Characteristics to be Avoided: Wantonness (Batar)

Wantonness (Batar) A. Wantonness (Batar) is not properly bearing the responsibility of wealth, which means a severe shortcoming in terms of appreciating it, and seeing the blessing in it. Along with excessive mirth (unrestrained happiness) it leads to oppression. Al-‘Izz bin ‘Abd al-Salaam A.1. Four Sources of Wantonness

1. Wantonness of wealth. 2. Wantonness of power. 3. Wantonness of employment or position. 4. Wantonness of social status.

A.2. Texts From the Qur’an and the Sunnah Concerning Wantonness And do not be like those who left their homes filled with excessive pride about their state (Bataran), showing off before people and preventing others from the way of Allah. And Allah encompasses all they do. Qur’an 8:47 How many populations have we destroyed who did not adequately appreciate the [blessing] their lifestyle embodied. There are their dwellings, uninhabited after them, except infrequently. And we are the true heirs. Qur’an 28:58 The Prophet, peace upon him, mentioned, “Allah does not look at one who drags his garment behind him ungratefully (Bataran).” Bukhari, #5,788 The Prophet, peace upon him, said, “As for when it [a horse] becomes a source of sin, this is the case of one who takes it for merriment, unappreciatively (Bataran), arrogantly, to show off before people. This is when it becomes a source of sin for him.” Bukhari, #2860 A.3. Sayings of the Scholars Concerning Wantonness Satan has snares and traps. His traps are wantonness concerning Allah’s blessings; conceit with Allah’s gifts; arrogating oneself over the servants of Allah; and following whims in ways unsanctioned by Allah. Al-Nu’man bin Bashir, al-Ihya’