بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Q: Is everything that the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- mentioned to be from the signs of the hour something blameworthy or prohibited? Like the constructing of tall buildings?
A: We are unable to declare it prohibited -may Allah bless you- however the most appropriate and pious thing for the believer is to live a life within the boundaries of sufficiency with regards to his home, clothes, food, and drink. When Allah gives him wealth he should spend it, due to (he quotes a statement of the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam) “the affluent will be the least on the day of resurrection except those who distribute it like this and like that (to their right, left, and behind as the narration illustrates).” Just as the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- mentioned.
The Exalted says:
و الذين يَكْنِزُون الذَّهب و الفِضَّة و لا يُنْفقُون في سبيل الله فبَشِّرْهم بعذاب أليم
“ِAnd those who amass gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah’s path, announce to them a severe torment.” [At-Taubah: 34]
So if one does not pay zakah, does not maintain family ties, nor does he give due rights as it relates to this wealth, then he is a sinner severely sinning. On the contrary if he pays zakah and builds himself a home, it is not correct to say it (his home) is prohibited. However what is more appropriate and pious is to not construct it high (towering), as competing in worldly affairs may eventually lead to arrogance. So what will result from the constructing of lofty buildings out of arrogance, which one will be taken to account over, -may Allah bless you- except that he regarding himself will become insolent with the people and deem himself above them. Hence if the structure is built in order to boast, he consequently is sinning.
To elaborate; a man buys a horse preparing its utilization in the path of Allah, he is rewarded. Another man buys a horse for his service and as a benefit for him and to, and to lend it out to people, this one is covered (on the Day of Resurrection). Whereas another man buys a horse for boastfulness and pride, such an individual has sinned.
And that’s the case with buildings. If he builds a home to shelter him, this is allowed, but if he builds it for boastfulness and pride he has sinned as a result of what he has accomplished for himself of arrogance and not merely the building itself.
Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi
Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي