Spending money on antiques

A: There is no doubt that this act is Haram (prohibited) for many reasons: First, this is an act of paganism, as it might lead to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and seeking blessings from such antiques and their owners other than Allah. The previous nations have committed the same sin of Shirk, for no other reason but their glorifying of marks of the people who were known for their piety among them. This is what happened to the people of Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) and others. Second, spending money for obtaining such antiques is a (Part No. 26; Page No. 126) spendthrift act and wasting money futilely. Allah forbids these acts in His Book as He said, But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayâtîn (devils), and the Shaitân (Devil-Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord. He (Exalted be He) also said, ...and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allâh) likes not Al-Musrifûn (those who waste by extravagance). Third, the Islamic law makes it obligatory to limit the legal competence of the fool and the spendthrifts as much as there is necessity. Allah (Exalted be He) said, And give not unto the foolish your property which Allâh has made a means of support for you Consequently, it is incumbent upon the Islamic rulers, may Allah guide them to success, to act positively in order to prevent such a heinous deed, and order that such money should be spent on Islamically acceptable projects, such as sponsoring orphans, feeding the poor and the needy, and financing general charitable projects. May Allah guide us all to what He likes and what pleases Him!May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.