بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

1 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Eradicating Hunger from Society إ اى ح ذ ى ي ح ذ و غ ح ؼ و غ ح غ ف ش و غ ح ه ذ و ح ى ة إى و ؼ ىر ث بىي ش ش وس أ ف غ ب و ع ئ بت أ ػ بى ب ه ذ اىي ف ي ب ض و ى و ض ي ي ف ي ب بد ى و أ ش ه ذ أ ى ب إ ى إ ى ب اىي و ح ذ ى ب ش ش ل ى و أ ح ذ ا ػ ج ذ و س ع ىى أ ب ث ؼ ذ :ف ب ػ جب د اهلل أ و ص ف غ و أ و ص ن ث ح ق ى ي اهلل ػ ض و ج و : ق به اهلل ج جب س ك و ج ؼب ى ف اى ق ش آ اى ؼ ظ : و ط ؼ ى اىط ؼ ب ػ ي ح ج غ ن ب و ح ب و أ ع ري ا إ ب ط ؼ ن ى ى ج اىي ى ب ش ذ ن ج ض اء و ى ب ش ن ىس ا ] (اإل غب : 9-8( All Praises are for Allah SWT we thank Him and His help we seek. I testify to the fact that no one is worthy of worship but Allah SWT. He is alone and has no partner and I also testify to the fact that Muhammad (SAS) is His true servant and final Messenger; whose teachings and guidance are what we are commanded to follow if we want happiness in this life as well as in the Hereafter. Hunger is one of the greatest tests of an individual or a nation. The presence of hunger in the world is a clear indication of human failures and injustices both at a social and economic level. 1

2 It is a human failure because one of the main goals of a society is to satisfy the basic needs of its people and at the top of those basic needs is food. It is an injustice because there is enough in the world for everyone to have his/her basic needs met. Yet while one-third is rich two-thirds goes hungry. This month ICNA has dedicated as the month for Eradicating Hunger from Society. It is just not talks and theories but getting down to action as we are required to do as part of our faith in Allah SWT and our responsibility to society. It is not for public image and self promotion it is the foundation of our faith; the basis of our Deen. First of all, Allah SWT praises those who feed the hungry not for making their names but for no other reason than to seek His Divine Pleasure. He SWT says: و ط ؼ ى اىط ؼ ب ػ ي ح ج غ ن ب و ح ب و أ ع ري ا إ ب ط ؼ ن ى ى ج اىي ى ب ش ذ ن ج ض اء و ى ب ش ن ىس ا ] (اإل غب : 9-8( And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive,- (8) (Saying),"We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks. Very often many of our brothers and sisters are mistaken. They think that feeding the poor is a favor done to poor and it is matter of their kindness and their choice in getting close to Allah SWT. But Ibaadallah! It is a command from Allah SWT and a command of Allah SWT entails compulsion. And an act of compulsion when it is done for Allah SWT s pleasure is rewarded and leaving it off has severe consequences in this life as well as The Hereafter unless one repents and acts accordingly. 2

3 As we examine the Divine injunctions of feeding the hungry we find that sometimes Allah SWT makes it appealing and exhorts The Believers. He SWT says: ف ي ب اق ح ح اى ؼ ق ج ة و ب أ د س اك ب اى ؼ ق ج ة ف ل س ق ج ة أ و إ ط ؼ ب ف ى ر غ غ ج ة ح ب ر ا ق ش ث ة أ و غ ن ب ر ا ح ش ث ة ] (البلد: 11-11) But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. (11) And what will make you know the path that is steep? (12) (It is) Freeing a slave (13) Or giving food in a day of hunger (14) To an orphan near of kin. (15) Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. (16) Or it validates Imaan as Allah SWT constantly attaches faith to good deeds and in over 60 times He SWT says: إ اى ز آ ىا و ػ ي ىا اىص بى ح بت Surely those who believe and do good deeds And at the top of good deeds is feeding the poor as is made clear in a Hadith: أ و ع ي ػ ي اىي اى ج ص ي ع أ ه س ج ي ب أ ػ ه ب اىي س ض ػ ش و ث اىي ػ ج ذ ػ ج ؼ ش ف ى و ػ ش ف ث ػ ي اىغ ي ب و ج ق ش أ اىط ؼ ب ج ط ؼ ق به خ ش اى ئ ع ي ب A man asked the Prophet SAS "What is the best Islam?" He replied: "The best Islam is that you feed the hungry and spread peace among people you know and those you do not know." And in another Hadith: 3

4 : ػ ػ ش ث اخلطبة قبه : و ض أ ف ػ به اى أ أ ع ي و ػ ي ص ي اهلل اهلل عىه س و ع ئ أ و أ و اىغ شوس ل خبى إ د ق ه ب : ى ض ث ق ى س ج ػ ت ع ح ش ى ػ ح ج ث ش ج ؼ أ ػ ي ؤ سوا ح بج ة. اىط اين يف األوعط The best of all deeds is to bring happiness to other Muslims: by satiating his hunger, covering his nakedness, or, or fulfilling any need of his. And yet another occasion he said: إ ى ج ج " ج بئ غ جبس و غ ش ج ز ث بى اى ؤ ى ظ He is not a true believer who sleeps full while his neighbor sleeps hungry. Feeding the poor as an easy means of entering Paradise Rasoolullah SAS mentions: ق به ث غ ي ب اى ج ة ج ذ خ ي ىا ب و اى بط و ص ي ىا اىط ؼ ب و أ ط ؼ ىا اىغ ي ب أ ف ش ىا اى بط أ ه ب ز ا ػ غ أ ث ى ح ذ د ص ح ح O People! Say Salaam, feed others, maintain relations, stand in Salaah at night while others are sleeping and then enter Jannah with Salaam. Even giving someone water to drink will guarantee a better reward in The Hereafter. Rasoolullah SAS said: ع ق غ ي ب ػ ي ظ أ خ ح ى اى ح ق اىش اهلل ع قب 4

5 Whoever provides water to a thirsty Muslim, Allah shall let him drink Rahiq Makhtoom (sealed Nectar). Looking after the poor and needy is equated with Fasting and praying at night. Rasoolullah SAS said: و اى غ ن ني اى أ س ي ة ػ ي اىغ بػ و ق ى اى ه بس ص ى م بى ز أ و اىي ع ج و ف م بى ج ب ذ اىي و One who struggles to help poor and widows is like the Mujahid in the way of Allah or like one who prays at night and fasts in the daytime. Bukhari Feeding the poor expiates violations in Deen. Allah SWT orders: و ى غ ح ط غ ف ئ ط ؼ ب ع ح ني غ ن ب ر ى ل ى ح ؤ ىا ث بىي و س ع ىى و ج ي ل ح ذ ود اىي [4 : و ى ي ن بف ش [ [ ػ ز اة أ ى اجملبدىة And for him who is unable to do so (i.e. freeing a slave or Fasting 60 consecutive days), he should feed sixty of Miskin (poor). That is in order that you may have perfect Faith in Allah and His Messenger. These are the limits set by Allah. And for disbelievers, there is a painful torment. (4) On the other hand there are consequences for those who turn away from feeding the hungry as He SWT says: خ ز و ف غ ي ى ذ اى ج ح ص ي ى ذ ف ع ي غ ي ة ر س ػ ه ب ع ج ؼ ى ر س اػ ب ف بع ي ن ى إ م ب ى ب ؤ ث بىي اى ؼ ظ و ى ب ح ض ػ ي ط ؼ ب 5

6 اى غ ن ني ف ي ظ ى اى ى ب ب ح و ى ب ط ؼ ب إ ى ب غ غ ي ني ى ب أ م ي إ ى ب اى خ بط ئ ى ] (الحاقة: 03-03) (It will be said): "Seize him and fetter him, (30) Then throw him in the blazing Fire. (31) "Then fasten him with a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits!" (32) Verily, He used not to believe in Allah, the Most Great, (33) And urged not on the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor), (34) So no friend has he here this Day, (35) Nor any food except filth from the washing of wounds, (36) None will eat except the Khati'un (sinners,wrong-doers) And sometimes He SWT informs that turning away from feeding the poor will be one of several reasons why people will be placed in hell fire. Allah SWT says: م و ف ظ ث ب م غ ج ث س ة إ ى ب أ ص ح بة اى ني ف ج بت ح غ بء ى ى ػ اى ج ش ني ب ع ي ن ن ف ع ق ش ق بى ىا ى ل اى ص ي ني و ى ل ٤٤ ] (المدثر: 33-03) اى غ ن ني ط ؼ Every person is a pledge for what he has earned, (38) Except those on the Right, (39) In Gardens (Paradise) they will ask one another, (40) About the criminals and wrondoers (And they will say to them): (41) "What has caused you to enter Hell?" (42) They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer their Salat (prayers) (43) "Nor we used to feed Al- Miskin (the poor); (44) Turning away from feeding the poor is ingratitude to Allah SWT s Bounties 6

7 ف أ ب اى ئ غ ب إ ر ا ب اث ح ي ب س ث ف أ م ش و ؼ ف ق ىه س ث أ م ش و أ ب إ ر ا ب اث ح ي ب ف ق ذ س ػ ي س ص ق ف ق ىه س ث أ ب م ي ب ث و ى ب ج ن ش ى اى ح و ى ب ج ح بض ى ػ ي ط ؼ ب اى غ ن ني As for man, when his Lord tries him by giving him honor and gifts, then he says (puffed up): "My Lord has honored me." (15) But when He tries him, by straitening his means of life, he says: "My Lord has humiliated me!" (16) Nay! But you treat not the orphans with kindness and generosity (i.e. you neither treat them well, nor give them their exact right of inheritance)! (17) And urge not on the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor)! (18) Sometimes we see that rejection in feeding the poor is equated with disbelief as Allah SWT warns: أ س أ ث اى ز ن ز ة ث بىذ ف ز ى ل اى ز ذ ع اى ح و ى ب ح ض ػ ي ط ؼ ب اى غ ن ني ] (املبػى ) Have you seen him who denies the religion? He is the one who harshly rebuffs the orphan and does not urge the feeding of the poor. Crops were destroyed when miserliness took over a people who were secretly trying to reap their harvest preventing the poor from even knowing : ف ب ط ي ق ىا و ح خ بف ح ى أ ى ب ذ خ ي ه ب اى ى ػ ي ن غ ن ني و غ ذ و ا ػ ي ح ش د ق بد س ف ي ب س أ و ب ق بى ىا إ ب ى ض بى ى ث و ح ح ش و ى 7

8 So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying), (23) No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today. (24) And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom). (25) But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray," (26) (Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!" (27) Almost all these Chapters were revealed during the Makkan period where there were both Muslims and non-muslims. So feeding the poor can be anyone, any human being irrespective to faith or creed. A man was forgiven to give a thirsty dog some water to drink. Ibaadallah! In the world today where there are at least 1.2 billion people going hungry and right here in the USA there are at least 35 million persons go to bed hungry. The question we often ask is it that there is a shortage of food or there is abundance but mankind s greed and arrogance have caused great injustice and an unequal allocation of resources. Less than 10% of the world population controls over 90% of the wealth and resources on this earth. Why are people amassing so much wealth while nations starve? Such people Allah SWT describes as: ث و ى ب ج ن ش ى اى ح و ى ب ج ح بض ى ػ ي ط ؼ ب اى غ ن ني م ي ب و ج أ م ي ى اىح ش اخ أ م ي ب ى ب و ج ح ج ى اى به ح ج ب ج ب No indeed! You do not honor orphans or urge the feeding of the poor; you devour inheritance with voracious appetites and have an insatiable love of wealth. (Surat al-fajr: 17-20) Ibaadallah! It is by following Allah s injunctions that the injustices and greed can be illuminated and society flourishes. A society where everyone is taken care of and there is no person that goes to bed hungry the likes we have seen during the early 8

9 stages of Islam particularly at the time of the Bani Umayyad ruler and great grandson of Umar bin Al-Khattaab; Umar bin Abdul Aziz. This was the Golden Age during which people would readily comply with Allah's commands, and, as a result, justice, selfsacrifice, and charity prevailed. It was during this time that the spirit of sharing and caring eradicated poverty and hunger. And this is something we can do today. Rather we can do a better job because we possess much more than what was available in those days. There are genuinely sufficient resources in the world to ensure that no one, nowhere, at no time, should go hungry. Just imagine if Zakat alone is given what a difference this will make in society. Zakaah due on agricultural products ranges from 5% to 10% of the produce. Zakat due on various types of animals such as sheep, cows and camels. Zakaah on wealth ( cash, stocks, gold and silver) is 2.5% If Zakaah were to be paid by Muslims and are distributed among the hungry and starving people of this world, there would not be a single hungry person. Be involved in one of icna s program in the fight to eradicate hunger: Whether it is: At a soup kitchen Or with Da'wah and community outreach projects. Or ICNA Relief projects in North America Feed the hungry and homeless Or Zakaah and Sadaqaat distribution to the needy Meat distribution to the needy. Organize an interfaith hunger awareness event and invite someone to speak Meet with federal, state, or local elected officials and address the issue of huger in society. Urge them to spend more on food than on war Students on campuses should have an organized effort to collect and distribute food in their localities 9

10 Ibaadallah! Remember Allah SWT will question us about our lack in feeding the hungry. In a long Hadith Qudsi, Rasoolullah SAS said that Allah SWT will say on Day of Judgment: اى ؼ بى ني س ة و أ ث أ ط ؼ ل و م ف س ة ب ق به ج ط ؼ ف ي اع ح ط ؼ ح ل آد اث ب ى ى ج ذ ت أ ط ؼ ح ى ى أ ل ػ ي ث أ ب ج ط ؼ ف ي ف ي ب ػ ج ذ اع ح ط ؼ ل أ ػ ي ث أ ب ق به س ة و أ ث أ ع ق ل م ف س ة ب ق به ج غ ق ف ي اع ح غ ق ح ل آد اث ب ػ ذ ر ى ل ػ ذ ر ى ل و ج ذ ت ع ق ح ى ى إ ل أ ب ج غ ق ف ي ف ي ب ػ ج ذ اع ح غ ق بك ق به اى ؼ بى ني 'O' son of Adam, I was hungry and you did not feed me.' He will answer: 'How could I feed you? You are the Lord of the worlds!' He will say: 'Did you not know that my slave so and so who is the son of so and so felt hunger, and you did not feed him. Alas, had you fed him you would have found that (i.e. reward) with Me.' 'O' son of Adam, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink.' He will reply: 'How could I give You drink? You are the Lord of the worlds!' He will say: 'Did you not know that my slave so and so, the son of so and so felt thirsty and you did not give him drink. Alas, if you had given him, you would have found that (i.e. reward) with me.' Therefore we should not wait for them to come to us we should be going out looking for them. Umar (RA) used to go out at night while he was the Caliph and search for the poor people. We all know the wonderful story of the woman who had nothing to cook and put her children to bed. Umar saw that and he went back to the Baitul Maal got food cooked it and waited until her children are fed. If we genuinely want to eliminate hunger, everybody has to be involved. And beware of miserliness. Allah SWT has warned: 10

11 ب أ ح ؤ ى بء ج ذ ػ ى ى ح ف ق ىا ف ع ج و اىي ف ن ج خ و و ج خ و ف ئ ب ج خ و ػ ف غ و اىي اى غ و أ ح اى ف ق ش اء و إ ج ح ى ى ى ا غ ح ج ذ ه ق ى ب غ ش م ذ ى ب ن ى ىا أ ر بى ن Behold! You are those who are called to spend in the Cause of Allah, yet among you are some who are miserly. And whoever is miserly, it is only at the expense of his ownself. But Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), and you (mankind) are poor. And if you turn away, He will exchange you for some other people, and they will not be your likes. (38) أ ق ى ه ق ى ى ز ا و أ ع ح غ ف ش اهلل ى و ى ن و ى غ بئ ش اى غ ي ني م و ر ت ف بع ح غ ف ش و إ ى اى غ ف ىس اىش ح. 11