Poverty: The Forgotten Shadow of Ramadan
In the sacred moments before sunset during Ramadan, millions of Muslim households bustle with activity. Tables are adorned with dates, water, fruit, and an array of dishes prepared with love and devotion. The anticipation of breaking one’s fast with family is a cherished tradition. Yet, in the midst of our communal joy, there exists a profound silence – the silence of those for whom iftar is not a celebration, but a daily struggle of poverty.
The Paradox of Plenty
Our world is not suffering from scarcity but from injustice in distribution. The World Health Organisation and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization have consistently reported that our planet produces enough food to feed everyone on Earth, with current production capable of feeding billions more if distributed equitably.[1] Yet hunger and poverty persists. In one hemisphere, farmers destroy surplus crops to maintain market prices, while in another, children succumb to malnutrition. This is not merely an economic disparity; it is a moral crisis that demands our attention.
Allah says in the Quran: “And they give food, in spite of their love for it, to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, [saying] ‘We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We do not want from you reward or gratitude'” (Surah Al-Insan 76:8-9). These verses remind us that feeding the hungry is not charity but justice – not optional, but obligatory.
The Prophetic Example
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ embodied the ethics of compassion and resource-sharing. He taught us, “He is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbour beside him goes hungry.” This hadith does not merely suggest generosity; it questions the very authenticity of our faith when we fail to address hunger around us.
The Prophet ﷺ shared a profound parable that perfectly captures our current global predicament. He said: “The example of those who observe the limits of Allah and those who don’t is like people who board a ship; some occupy the upper deck and others the lower deck. Those in the lower deck, when they need water, have to go to the upper deck. So they said, ‘Let us make a hole in our part of the ship to get water without disturbing those on the upper deck.’ If those on the upper deck let them do what they intended, then all the people on the ship would perish. But if they prevent them, then all would be saved.”[2]
This hadith brilliantly illustrates our shared destiny on this planet. When those with resources fail to share with those in need, the deprived will eventually take desperate measures that ultimately harm everyone. The metaphor of the ship reminds us that we are all in this together – the fate of the privileged is inextricably tied to the fate of the disadvantaged.
In another powerful narration, the Prophet ﷺ said, “Food for one person is sufficient for two, and food for two people is sufficient for four, and food for four is sufficient for eight.” This beautiful teaching challenges our notion of scarcity and invites us to embrace a mindset of abundance through sharing.
The Forgotten Tables
While we break our fasts in comfort, millions break theirs with whatever meagre provisions they can find – if any at all. The refugee camps in Gaza, the drought-stricken villages in Somalia, the displaced communities in Yemen – these are the settings of the forgotten iftars. But we need not look so far. Even in our own communities, there are families who observe Ramadan with dignity but in poverty and difficulty.
The narrative of scarcity is a geopolitical myth designed to justify hoarding and competition. Our Islamic tradition offers a radical alternative – one based on mutual care and the recognition that resources are an amanah (trust) from Allah, meant to be shared justly.
A Call to Action
The “Forgotten Iftar Appeal” invites us to restore balance in our world by supporting those who cannot afford to break their fast with dignity. By contributing to this initiative, we want to end poverty and extend our table to include those who have been excluded from the bounty that Allah has provided for all.
As we enter the blessed month of Ramadan, let us revive the Prophetic tradition of resource sharing. Let us challenge the myth of scarcity with our generosity. For in the economics of barakah (blessing), the more we give, the more we receive.
To support the Forgotten Iftar Appeal, please donate here or contact us. Your contribution alleviates poverty and can ensure that no iftar is forgotten, and no Muslim breaks their fast alone.
[1] Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organisation (WHO). “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.” Reports consistently show that global food production exceeds requirements for the world’s population, with distribution and access being the primary barriers to food security.
[2] Sahih al-Bukhari 2493, Book 43, Hadith 15. This hadith about the ship and its passengers is extensively analysed in Hamza Tzortzis’ work on Islamic economic ethics and resource distribution.
