In view of the looming food crises, on top of our already high cost of living, uncertain economic situation, expected world recession to be led by the mighty USA etc (after among others the Indian businesses, and then the Chinese businesses refusing to accept US Dollars and now Iran ending its oil trade using US Dollars - guess the strike on Iraq 'to save US Dollars' was futile anyway, keeping in mind that the mighty US of A is the country with the biggest borrowings 'in the whole wide world') - allow me to share an excerpt on the issue of Islam and Food Security. The full article can be accessed via:
I am highlighting the excerpt from the view of the role of the rulers and governments in fulfilling its responsibility towards the people, the real 'stakeholder' of the organisation known as a country - especially with the view of the current political situation of our country currently.
Happy reading:
“Each of you is a shepherd, and all of you are responsible for your flocks.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
It is the responsibility of the ruler to guarantee housing, clothing and food for every single citizen of the Islamic state, based on the following hadith:
"The Son of Adam has no better right than that he would have a house wherein he may live, a piece of clothing whereby he may hide his nakedness and a piece of bread and some water." [Tirmidhi]
Consequently, the ruler will be diligent in applying the ahkam that pertain to economy, as this will be his best defense on the Day of Judgment. That is, the ahkam of Allah (swt) will address the issue of food security. Some examples include:
1. "Muslims are partners in three things: in water, pastures and fire" [Abu Dawud]. Muslims have common ownership of pastures and water –the fundamental resources required to produce food. All energy resources are also owned by the people. This means that no individual or company can monopolize its benefits/profits.
2. Land cannot remain idle. Landowners must ensure that their lands remain productive and do not stay idle. If they fail to use the land within 3 years, it is given to someone who will use it. This is based on the ijma of the sahabah (i.e. who acted on sunnah of the Prophet (saw) without mentioning it) on the saying of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (ra): “The one who circles a land has no right in it after 3 years.”
3. Prohibition on price-fixing. In era of rising food prices, the State is forbidden from fixing prices based on the following narrated by Imam Ahmed (ra): “Prices increased at the time of the Messenger of Allah (saw), so they said, O Messenger of Allah, we wish you would price (fix the prices). He (saw) said: “Indeed Allah is the Creator, the holder (Qabidh), the Open-handed (Basit), the Provider (Raziq), the Pricer (who fixes prices); and I wish I will meet Allah and nobody demands (complains) of me for unjust acts I did against him, neither in blood or property.” When States do not follow the sunnah of Rasullah (saw), they find that fixing the price of food actually make the food shortage worse, as food retailers hoard their provisions and sell the goods for high prices in the underground market.
4. Hoarding/monopolizing goods is forbidden. Producers or retailers cannot hoard or monopolize goods in order to cause the price to rise. This is based on the ahadith: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) forbade that a foodstuff be monopolized.” [Athram] and “Whoever monopolized is a wrongdoer.” [Muslim].
Under the Khilafah of Umar ibn-al Khattab (ra), Madinah experienced a famine. Umar (ra) ordered his governor of Egypt, ‘Amr bin al-As, to dig a canal from the River Nile to the Red Sea to transport grain to the Arabian Peninsula. Umar did not eat anything more than oil and dry bread until he was sure that everyone in Madinah was full.
The Muslim community is also responsible for ensuring that all people within the community are fed. This is based on the following narration of the Prophet (saw):
“Any community, whosoever they are, if a person among them became hungry, they will be removed from the protection of Allah the Blessed, the Supreme.” [Ahmed]
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