Solution to Poverty and the Global Crises

"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

Today in class we were supposed to think of solutions to the global crises that plague the world today. Most of these include people living in Third World developing countries who survive on less than $1-2 a day. These countries are also subjected to a debt regime in which the only way for their government to borrow money from IMF or the World Bank is at exorbitant interest rates and also with strict conditions for use.

These countries then become entrenched in debt because the money that they earn from their GDP is usually used to repay back ONLY the interest rates... and then they have to borrow more money to repay their previous loans... and they don't have any left to invest into their economy.

So it came as a surprise to me when one of my non-Muslim classmates suggested that the world should follow the Islamic Banking way of loans and business partnerships. He was then second by my Professor who is also a Muslim, who said that Islamic Banking practices take a shared responsibility approach with business entrepreneurs. As such, they do profit and lose together with their business partners.

It struck me then at that moment that if right from the start, we had followed the Islamic way of life; follow their banking system, their political system and everything... life would be more peaceful. Our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w had given us all the solutions to the problems that would come after his death and yet we are blinded and unguided in our practices.

Islam is NOT backwards neither is it progressive. What I mean is that it is always constant and applicable till the end of time. If only we stop to think and remember Him and his prophets.

The meaning of عيد الفطر

"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

Contrary to popular belief, Eid ul Fitr, or Hari Raya Aidilfitri as it is known here in Singapore, is NOT the Muslim new year. I even saw this mistake in a scholarly paper written by a Malay whom I will assume is Muslim as well.

Many here are unaware just the same that the real Islamic new year is in the month of Muharram, not Syawal. Yet, the level of celebration our community devote to Aidilfitri is at times superfluous.

In retrospect, Eid ul Fitr should be celebrated at a smaller scale as compared to the 'Greater Eid' which is Eid ul Adha...

Eid ul Fitr simply marks an end to the month of Ramadhan... and although we celebrate it with joy, we must not forget that it is also a sad goodbye to the most beautiful month in Islam and also it is a sad parting for the souls who have to return back to the grave and face their continued punishments.

The reason why I'm bringing this up is because I was a little angry this morning when I heard the donation drive advertisement on radio. There was a small boy who was crying, saying that he wanted new clothes for the coming Hari Raya but his mom says they can't afford coz they're poor and their father is sick. Then the boy says that he too wishes to live a life of means like his friends. Then the DJ says that we should help these families so that they too can have a meaningful Aidilfitri.

The advertisement disturbs me on 2 levels:

First- Hari Raya does not equal to new clothes every year. Are you telling me that these people, who receive the donations every year desire to buy new clothes every year? Then they're much more well off than I am for I only buy a new set of baju kurung every 3-5 years. Astagfiruallah.

Second- It reminded me of a family I know whom, upon receiving alms, would spend quite a lot on new clothes...
The money that you receive from this donation drive is meant to cover you for a few months... but sometimes they blow it all on just Hari Raya. =(

When the boy says that he too wishes to be well off like his friends... I don't know if I should pity or feel upset with him. There is alot to be grateful for, even when you are poor. You should be grateful that Allah has willed you to wake up another day, so that you can strive to work or study hard for rezeki.

My mother used to say that we should not be jealous of our friend's wealth or wish to be like them. Instead we should be jealous of those who have more ilmu than us; especially knowledge in religion and we should try to learn as much as we can from them. That is what we should strive for... not compare ourselves to the financial status of others then lament at our own state and blame God for it.

I remembered a story about an Imam (I can't remember which one now) who would cry when he saw a poor person and also cry when he saw a rich person. He said that the poor person, being poor never stopped praying to Allah, asking for halal rezeki and seeking His protection. While the rich person, always prays to Allah, to give his thanks and show his gratitude for all that He has given.

So that is why, in the recent years, I begin to realise that Hari Raya is not a day to show off who has the most expensive or branded handbag or who has lost the most weight or who has the prettiest looking outfit. I am grateful to be covered in whatever baju kurung or abaya that I have and that the hijab covers me inside and out. I go to the elders house to seek forgiveness and meet my relatives... so for me... materials are possessions of this world.

And that... is enough for me.

Two cents worth

"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

Last night, Hubtobe and I were sitting at the dam, talking... it has been so long since we sat and talked like that. We're both busy with work and school, among other things.

So while we were talking, he brought up a subject about money. He asked me why is it some people find it so hard to part with their savings even though it's to help someone in their family or a close friend in need. I knew that he wanted to share with me something but he couldn't because he made a promise not to tell anyone. Hubtobe holds true to his amanah sometimes that I wonder if he's actually plagued by so much worries about other people. =(

So anyway, he was saying that we shouldn't hoard money even if we have legitimate reasons for saving up i.e. to buy a house or pay for rental etc. But the truth is, that money doesn't belong to us... we are merely 'borrowing' it in a sense. It stunned me really... at how true that was... and it made me cry a little.

Everything in this world is lent to us by Allah... It is Him to which everything came from and to which everything returns to. Nothing belongs to us... including our bodies and all our things... that's why we should take care of them carefully.

He then narrated a story to me about P.Ramlee, a legendary Malay actor, who, upon seeing a beggar asking for $2, gave $10 in his pocket to the beggar, although that was all the money he had with him. When his colleague saw what he did, he asked P.Ramlee why he did that and P. Ramlee replied that the money is not his but belongs to Allah. That made me tear up also.

So when I came home from the dam, I was a bit upset when I found out that my mom had bought an expensive designer bag from the Duty Free Shop. Although it was on discount and she paid only $300, I was still upset... because she already bought a Braun Buffel bag at the same price. Actually, my mom rarely buys anything for herself... and this was the first time she spent so much money on bags for herself.

But what saddens me the most is that she went to DFS with my cousin- and got exposed to all the luxury goods. I don't want my mom having high tastes for things because then you get trapped in a vicious cycle where you wanna buy and buy and buy.

What also saddens me is that I cannot afford to buy her such things, yet...

But, I do not want to come to a stage where I could afford to buy things worth thousands but could not bear to part with some money to help someone close in trouble. Insyaallah.