The Hadith on Ruin of Wealth Through Love of Building

Question

I read in a book a hadith stating that when Allah Most High wishes to humiliate someone, He causes his money to be spent on “foundations” (i.e. building). What does “foundations” mean here? I cannot understand this.

Answer

Whoever’s wealth is to be ruined has a passion for building implanted in his heart. Even without any need, merely to display his status, he keeps spending money on mud and mortar: he builds one storey upon another, and having one house already, builds yet another.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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