That is because, once the soul has been widened through righteousness, piety, and beneficence, Allah enlarges it still further and opens the breast for it (1). By contrast, debauchery and miserliness repress the soul (and shrink it) (2) and degrade it, so that the miser feels a constriction within himself.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, clarified this in a sound hadith:

“The likeness of the miser and the generous giver is that of two men wearing iron coats of mail whose arms are bound up to their collarbones. Each time the giver (3) offers a charity, the coat of mail expands (4) and relaxes until it covers the very tips of his fingers and wipes out his tracks. But whenever the miser merely intends to give, it contracts, and every ring clings to its place. I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, putting his finger into the opening of his garment—had you seen him trying to widen it, it would not widen.”

It was recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim (5), and this is Muslim’s wording (6).

The hiding or display of one’s dwelling follows the same principle. Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“He hides himself from the people because of the bad news he has been given; shall he keep it in humiliation, or bury it in the dust?” [al-Nahl 16:59].

In the same way, the miserly, profligate soul has been buried by its owner within the body, and part of it—