[Bilal_23]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

aslaam o alaikum,

I have been asked to participate in an Interfaith Discussion. The Theme is " Make Poverty History". This include third World Debt, Fair Trade and Climate Change.

I will appreciate if you can sign post and provide some material for the talk. I will appreciate your contribution.

Jazak Allah

Waslaam

[Qadri-Jilani]

wa'laykum as-salam,

Talk about what Islam does to relieve poverty (that's just a very basic starting point).

[seeker]

Islam made poverty history in 98 A.H. during the reign of Omar ibn Abd al-Aziz (r.a.)

There was so much wealth in Muslim lands that money was given to young people to get married, and seed was bought so that even the birds were fed! Money was given to the non-Muslims who were sympathetic to Islam as part of zakah.

Talk about how Zakah redistributes wealth. It makes the poor richer and the rich richer, whereas capitalism makes the poor poorer and the rich richer. It is NOT an income tax.

Zakah also prevents a monopoly, as if you have sheep then you give zakah in sheep. If you have grain you give zakah of grain, etc.


Research about the 98 AH thing.

[Bilal_23]

Jazak Allah Brothers,

It is a good start. Masha Allah good points mentioned. I welcome more reflections on climate change and fair trade. It is very well talk about our history but I am being tasked to come up with practical examples. What our mosques or Islamic organisation are doing to meet these challanges. I have to think about how rich Arab countries are helping poor people.

Masha Allah

Waslaam

[seeker]

CLIMATE CHANGE:


Islam is amazing for the environment.

In the "forbidden months", hunting is banned, allowing the populations to replenish their numbers.
Planting trees is SO rewarding in Islam - the Prophet (pbuh) said you should carry on planting trees even if the day of judgement is taking place!

For climate change consider this ayah:
"And the sky, He raised it high, and He made the balance
In order that ye may not transgress (due) balance.
And keep up the balance with equity and do not make the measure deficient."

Amazing!