Poverty is Political

Praise be to Allah (SWT) and Blessings on Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

And most certainly shall We try you by means of danger, and hunger, and a deficiency of worldly wealth, of lives, and of [labour’s] fruits. But give glad tidings to those who are patient in trying times  [Al Baqarah, 2:155]

The thousands of displaced homeless people in Gaza, who are wandering aimlessly, the thousands of maimed children and orphans, the thousands of resourceless widows should make us reflect on the true sense of poverty. The genocide has exacerbated an already impossible situation of more 56% poor people before 2023.

Coupled with the above, the thousands of young Rohingyas, who have been expelled from their homes, children and teenagers who are without access to education, and older ones without any job, is another form of persecution which brings poverty and suffering. Let’s also not forget the thousands of victims being persecuted in Kashmir, Xinjiang, with poverty as a common denominator.

Isn’t the provoked poverty in so-called poor countries in Africa caused by the exploitation of resources, by the French, British and American neo-colonialism?

Poverty doesn’t exist only in poor countries, but also in Europe and the USA. 1 in 5 persons in the UK lives in poverty. Hundreds of hungry homeless people roam the streets of the USA. This harsh reality confirms that poverty is not social but political.

Should we laugh or cry when a local left-leaning minister says that the poverty line must be risen? …While the government of which he is part decides to increase the age of retirement, leading to the impoverishment of an important component of the population, that is women and manual workers.

One does not need a degree in Economics to understand that poverty is political and requires audacious actions.

Inequality is a Political Choice

Poverty is derived from governance, from the ideology adopted by those who are in power, whether they are elected social democrats, like in the UK or South Africa, or dictators and despots, as in many Arab countries, or obtained their power from coups. People living in poverty does not mean that the country lacks resources or solutions, it means that governments and companies prefer their profits to preserve their riches and control. According to a recent UN report, more than a million people have fallen under the poverty line in over ten years.

Another question that the Ummah should ask itself is why the rich get richer even during world crises? Every thirty hours, the pandemic saw a new billionaire, while sending millions into poverty. In Mauritius, jewellers and hardware store owners suddenly discovered their vocations as importers of medical stuff and equipment. Let’s not forget the price of Molnupiravir which shot from Rs9 to Rs79 per pill in one day.

The pandemic has considerably increased inequalities across the world over the last three years. According to the Bloomberg index of billionaires, 131 of them have more than doubled their net profit during the pandemic. Billionaires have seen their riches increase in 24 months, as it would have in 23 years, according to the Oxfam report “Profiting from Pain” published last May.

Meanwhile, more than 97 million people, more than the population of any European country, have fallen into extreme poverty in 2020 only, earning less than 1.90 USD per day (the poverty line defined by the World Bank). World poverty is estimated to have gone from 7.8% to 9.1% by the end of 2021.

Wealth inequalities give the rich the power of political influence in their favour, which further widens revenue disparity. This may take different forms according to democratic context, but the results are the same. But this time, it’s a political cycle.

Poverty as a Test

Looking at poverty from an Islamic perspective implies religious obligation and social responsibility. Emphasis is laid on reducing poverty through zakaat and charity. Poverty is considered as a severe test of faith, which may lead to losing faith if it is not governed by patience and faith in God.

No misfortune can ever befall [a person] but for Allah’s clearance; and thus, whoever commits himself to Allah, [Allah] guides his heart [to this fact]; and Allah has definite knowledge of everything. [At Taghabun, 64:11]

Islam insists on the social duty to eliminate poverty by catering to basic needs, reducing wealth disparity and favouring an equitable allocation of resources.

Poverty is considered as a severe test of faith, and financial difficulties may lead to losing faith in Allah (SWT) if it is not governed by patience. Here, we need to salute the resistance of our brothers and sisters in Gaza who have endured more than 16 years of blockade, in the open air prison that is the enclave.

In fact, We have created social humans into [a lifetime] of labour and strain [Al Balad, 90:4]

Islam as a solution to Inequalities

Islam offers a complete way of life, with a social, economic, political and religious system that is applicable. It is an ensemble of institutions, social order, practices and beliefs.

[…]Today have I perfected your deen for you, and have bestowed upon you the full measure of My blessings, and willed that self-surrender unto Me shall be your deen […] [Al Maidah, 5:3]

Islam is a complete way of life, with its own economic, educational, social and political system. The economic system is based on the principle that everything that is on Earth, underneath the earth and the seas belong to Allah (SWT). Thus, gold, uranium, petrol all belong to Allah (SWT) and have to be handled according to Allah’s (SWT) rules, man being but a vicegerent.

Unlike the Western system, based on “liberty”, Islam proposes a social system based on “fraternity”. It emphasises on social solidarity under the concept of fraternity, where individual actions can have a collective effect.

Behold, the only [true] deen [God-to-society relationship, law, ethical code, or way of life] in the sight of Allah is self-surrender unto Him […] [Ali ‘Imran, 3:19]

Let’s be realistic: it is impossible to eradicate poverty. Allah (SWT), All-Powerful, would have done it in an instant.

On the one hand, poverty is a test, and on the other, wealth is another.

Your wealth and your [illusory] production powers are but a contentious ordeal, whereas with Allah there is a remarkable reward. [At Taghabun, 64:15]

In these dark days, it is imperative that the Ummah return to the principles of Islamic ideology, a return which is based on critical thinking, and which rejects blind following.

May Allah (SWT) help and guide us.