What is the warning in Quran 3:180?

Quran 3:180 warns those who greedily withhold wealth given by Allah, stating that this act is evil for them. According to tafsir scholars, the wealth they hoarded will be fashioned into a collar and wrapped around their necks as a punishment on the Day of Resurrection.

What is 'Bukhl' in Islam?

Bukhl is the Arabic term for miserliness, stinginess, or avarice. In an Islamic context, it specifically refers to the spiritual disease of withholding one's wealth and refusing to spend on obligatory duties like Zakat or on other charitable causes, stemming from a lack of trust in Allah.

What happens to the wealth a miser withholds?

According to Ibn Kathir's commentary on Quran 3:180, which is supported by a hadith from the Prophet (ﷺ), the wealth a miser withheld will be transformed into a bald-headed, venomous male snake on the Day of Resurrection. This snake will encircle the person's neck and bite their cheeks, saying, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.'

Warning to those who Withhold in Islam: Quranic Perspective on Miserliness (Bukhl)

Warning to those who withhold

Explore Verses Related to Warning to those who withhold

🕌Ali 'Imran3:180

At a Glance

According to classical Islamic scholarship, the warning to those who withhold, specifically detailed in Surah Al-Imran, verse 180, addresses the grave spiritual disease of miserliness (Al-Bukhl). Tafsir authorities like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this verse is a stern admonition against those who hoard the wealth Allah has bestowed upon them and fail to pay their obligatory Zakat or give in charity. They delude themselves into thinking this withholding is good for them, but Allah clarifies it is profoundly evil. The verse culminates in a terrifying eschatological warning: the very wealth they clung to will be heated in the fire of Hell and branded on them, or transformed into a collar—often described in Hadith as a venomous serpent—to be wrapped around their necks on the Day of Resurrection. This powerful imagery underscores the core Islamic principles that true ownership belongs only to Allah, and wealth is a trust to be circulated for the good of the community, not hoarded.

📖 Quranic Context

A major spiritual disease condemned by Allah, directly contrasting the virtues of generosity (Sadaqa and Zakat).

Miserliness is seen as a lack of trust in Allah's provision and a rejection of His generosity, leading to divine wrath.

References: Surah Al-Imran, verse 180 is the primary verse for this specific warning.

💭 Theological Perspective

A spiritual malady stemming from excessive love for wealth and the world, weakening one's connection to Allah.

Considered a delusion where one believes hoarding wealth is beneficial, when in reality it is spiritually and eternally harmful.

A clear prohibition against withholding what is due to Allah and the needy, with severe consequences outlined.

A major obstacle to spiritual purification (Tazkiyah) that must be overcome to achieve closeness to Allah.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) strongly warned against miserliness, stating it destroyed nations before and that a miser is far from Allah and Paradise.

A daily prayer by an angel against the one who withholds.
The wealth of a miser turning into a venomous snake on the Day of Judgment.

Universal agreement among scholars on miserliness being a grave sin, especially when it involves withholding obligatory Zakat.

💎 Deeper Insights

Search grounding reveals a profound hadith where the Prophet (ﷺ) stated, 'Beware of avarice, for avarice destroyed those before you. It led them to shed each other's blood and violate each other's honor.' This elevates withholding from a personal sin to a root cause of societal collapse and corruption, adding a critical social dimension to the warning in 3:180.

— Prophetic Tradition (Hadith)

The punishment is a form of divine justice where the object of worldly attachment becomes the instrument of otherworldly torment. The wealth they loved and refused to part with will be physically bound to them forever. This isn't an arbitrary punishment; it's a perfect, terrifying reflection of their sin, turning their 'treasure' into their tormentor.

— Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi