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Every day for the past eight weeks we have heard of nothing but doom and gloom as regards the world economic situation. Needless to say, these are some uncertain financial times. We have all built our dynasty upon our finances. We have worked hard to invest in our financial future and now it looks so uncertain. Didn't we see it coming? We should have. However, life is so much more than finances; wouldn't you agree? I'm comforted in the fact that we can now concentrate on other aspects of our lives.

Maybe the focus can now be moved to getting back to how we use to be; looking out for each other, our families, our neighbours. We were more caring, and more sharing.

Maybe now we can call on our God to see us through these times. Just maybe, we will get our spiritual selves in order. We'll now have the time and the clarity of not being obsessed with making and getting more, more, more. Now just maybe, we can live within our means. Maybe now we'll truly know the meaning of 'hanging our hat, where we can reach it."

Islam frowns upon a situation in which a society's wealth is concentrated in the hands of a select few. Islam looks to aid in the disbursement and trickling down effect, if you will, from the rich to those below them. Islam has the yearly mandatory zakah, as well as many other Prophetic Hadiths that strongly encourage additional, voluntary charity by the affluent. As long as there are rich people living in Bermuda, we can be assured (or so we should be) that our provisions will be met! Sounds idealistic, don't laugh, maybe we can convince the affluent that this is the right thing to do!

Again in Islam, the rich are encouraged to assist the poor. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) came to Medina, he encouraged the wealthier supporters to financially aid the poor Emigrants. Then, when war booty fell to the lot of the Muslims, he would divide the wealth according to economic condition - the poor segments of the Muslims would receive larger portions.

Through such measures, he sought to reduce the gap between rich and poor. Sounds like a perfect picture and a viable solution to me and a fair one. Just maybe as Allah says in Surah Baraka ... that when riba (usery/interest) decreases, charity will increase (sura 2:276). Let's face it, acknowledge it and embrace it so that we can resolve to fix, it's a fact that a select few have far more than they need, whilst the majority have far less than they need.

The Quran mirrors this with Surah 2, Al-Baqarah 58: And (remember) when We said: "Enter this town (Jerusalem) and eat bountifully therein with pleasure and delight wherever you wish, and enter the gate in prostration (or bowing with humility) and say: 'Forgive us,' and We shall forgive you your sins and shall increase (reward) for the good-doers." As space does not permit - please read this surah for yourself, also on fear Ayat 268: "Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit evil deeds ..."

Fear comes from Satan and as long as we abide by God's word and obey his commands, there is nothing to fear. "Ayat 39:38 "Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust (believers) must put their trust." Ameen.[[In-content Ad]]

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