The means that have been prescribed to eliminate poverty in Islam comes directly from the Book of Allah and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), and those ways are as follows. In this article, you will get to know the 7 ways to eliminate poverty in Islam and make every environment safe and easy to live in.
Poverty has been recorded to be one of the most calamites and problems in most environments, and this has resulted in some negative effects and there is a need to eliminate it.
So let lake a look at how to eradicate poverty in Islam
1: Provision Comes From Only From Allaah (SWT)
The first thing to do to eliminate poverty is to start teaching people and making them believe (while understanding them) that provision comes from Allah (SWT), who is the Provider (al-Razzaaq). Poor Muslim should be patient in bearing his calamity and strive to relieve himself and his family of poverty while understanding that every calamity that Allah decrees is for a reason.
Allaah says: “Verily, Allaah is the All‑Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong” – al-Dhaariyaat 51:58
Likewise, it was narrated that Suhayb al-Roomi (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “How wonderful is the situation of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.” Narrated by Muslim (2999).
2: Seeking Refuge With Allaah From Poverty.
The Prophet (PBUH) used to seek refuge with Allaah from poverty. And the Sahaabah follow the same step.
It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (PBUH) used to say in his prayer:
“Allaahumma inni a’oodhi bika min al-ma’tham wa’l-maghram (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from sin and heavy debt).”
Someone said to him: “How often you seek refuge from heavy debt!” He said: “When a man gets into debt, he speaks and tells lies, and he makes a promise and breaks it.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (832) and Muslim (589).
In another narration, Muslim ibn Abi Bakrah said: My father used to say following every prayer:
Allaahumma inni a’oodhu bika min al-kufri wa’l-faqri wa ‘adhaab il-qabr. This means, (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from disbelief, poverty and the torment of the grave), and I used to say them too.
My father said: O my son, where did you get this from? I said: From you. He said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say that following every prayer.
Narrated by al-Nasaa’i (1347); classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i.
3: Encouragement to Work
Allah encourages us to work and earn a living, and to travel in the land to seek provision. As He said: “He is Who has made the earth subservient to you (easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it); so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection” – al-Mulk 67:15
Also, it was narrated from al-Miqdaam (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one ever eats any food better than that which he has earned with his own hands. The Prophet of Allaah Dawood (peace be upon him) ate that which he earned with his own hands.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1966).
4: Making Zakaah Obligatory For The Rich
Allah has granted a share of zakaah to the poor, and the poor are to be given until he becomes independent of means and is no longer poor.
Allah says:
“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al‑Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam), and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allaah. And Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise” – al-Tawbah 9:60
5: Encouragement to Give Charity
There must be an encouragement to give charity, set up waqfs and sponsor orphans and widows
Allah says: “So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can; listen and obey, and spend in charity; that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then they are the successful ones” – al-Taghaabun 64:16
“And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allaah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers” [Saba’ 34:39]
Similarly, it was narrated that ‘Adiyy ibn Haatim said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say:
“Whoever among you can shield himself against the Fire, even with half a date, let him do so.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1347) and Muslim (1016).
6: Prohibition on Riba (usury), Gambling and Deceit in selling
In the Qur’an, Allah says: “O you who believe! Fear Allaah and give up what remains (due to you) from Ribaa (from now onward) if you are (really) believers.
And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allaah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums)” – al-Baqarah 2:278-279
It was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) passed by a pile of foodstuff; he put his hand in it and found that it had gotten wet.
He said, “What is this, O seller of the foodstuff?” He said: It got rained on, O Messenger of Allaah. He said: “Why don’t you put it on top of the food so that people can see it? Whoever deceives (people) does not belong to me.” – Narrated by Muslim (102).
The main lesson from that is that if people are doing these things and it becomes widespread among people, people’s wealth will be taken unlawfully, and some people will become poor along the way.
7: Help the needy and support the weak
To explain this let take a look at the narration from al-Nu’maan ibn Basheer said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is that of the body; when one part of it is in pain, the rest of the body joins it in restlessness and fever.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5665) and Muslim (2586).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 7 ways to eliminate poverty in Islam is a brief look at poverty eradication. But you can still get a wider view of how dangerous poverty is. Feel free to share this around and start making the world poverty eliminated.
All praises to Allah and He knows best.
