The Quran

Preface

۞ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا إِنَّ كَثيرًا مِنَ الأَحبارِ وَالرُّهبانِ لَيَأكُلونَ أَموالَ النّاسِ بِالباطِلِ وَيَصُدّونَ عَن سَبيلِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَالَّذينَ يَكنِزونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالفِضَّةَ وَلا يُنفِقونَها في سَبيلِ اللَّهِ فَبَشِّرهُم بِعَذابٍ أَليمٍ

Yusuf Ali

O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in falsehood¹ devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of God. And there are those who bury gold and silver² and spend it not in the way of God. announce unto them a most grievous penalty-

Bil batili = in falsehood, ie., by false means, pretences, or in false or vain things. This was strikingly exemplified in the history of Mediaeval Europe, though the disease is apt to attack all peoples and organisations at all times. Priests got rich by issuing indulgences and dispensations; they made their office a stepping stone to worldly power and possessions. Even the Monastic Orders, which took vows of poverty for individuals grew rich with corporate property, until their wealth became a scandal, even among their own nations.
Misuse of wealth, property, and resources is frequently condemned, and in three ways: (1) do not acquire anything wrongfully or on false pretences; (2) do not hoard or bury or amass wealth for its own sake but use it freely for good, whether for yourself or for your neighbours; and (3) be particularly careful not to waste it for idle purposes, but only so that it may fructify for the good of the people.