Islam doesn’t only speak about religious issues, but also about life in general. Just as Islam describes how to pray and fast, it also tells us how to lead life in this world. The Quran says: وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُتَكَلِّفِينَ (38:86) The Prophet says: I not a man of false pretentions. Takalluf means pretension, extravagance and ostentation. There is a natural way of doing things. For example, in marriage after the required procedure is followed, both sides agree and the marriage is concluded. Then you offer simple sweets after the weddings. But nowadays in weddings there is elaborate display. A huge amount of money is spent. All this is unnecessary expenditure. This is the satanic way. This is followed even by those who are punctual about prayers and fasting. This is because they believe religion is all about knowing how to worship. But so far as how to lead one's life is concerned, that isn't believed to be part of religion. I will relate some hadith.

A Companion of the Prophet said: نُهِينَا عَنِ التَّكَلُّفِ (Sahih al-Bukhari 7293) The Prophet has advised us to refrain from pretensions. What is pretentious behaviour? Suppose a person comes to my home as guest. If there is dal and chapati at my home, I will offer that to the guest. But people would go to the market, do shopping, make grand preprations and offer different kind of dishes. Some of the food would be consumed, while the rest would be wasted. If you have dal and chapati at home, offer that. If you make grand arrangements, then that is a case of pretentions. Such pretention or ostentation is not part of Islam. A Companion of the Prophet said: نَهَانَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ نَتَكَلَّفَ  (Musnad al-Bazzar 2514)

Takalluf is to not be content with what you have and cook elaborate dishes. That is, to not do what is naturally possible, rather behave artificially. The Prophet said: أنا وأتقياء أمتي براء من التكلف (Kashful Khifa 621)This is a unique hadith. The Prophet said: People of my ummah and I who have fear of God are devoid of pretentions. What does this mean? The Prophet told us how to recognize one who fears God. One who is involved in pretentions has no fear of God, even if he prays. Those who fear God avoid pretentions.