Poverty Alleviation - Quran and Sunnah

Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam)as saying:


"He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of know- ledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book of Allah and they learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves) there would descend upon them the tranquility and mercy would cover them and the angels would surround them and Allah makes a mention of them in the presence of those near Him, and he who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (high) descent does not make him go ahead."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 35 Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6518]

From reading of the above, one gets an impression that it is to our own benefit to

1. alleviate the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world
2. find relief for one who is hard pressed
3. conceal (the faults) of a Muslim
4. be at the back of his brother
5. tread the path in search of knowledge
6. assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book of Allah
7. learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves)

All the above mentioned points are inter linked, however, when focused too narrowly on poverty alleviation first 4 points are of utmost importance. Dr. Mohammad Obaidullah has very rightly pointed out that

1. Charity is scarce.
2. For-profit funds are more easily available.
3. What we need is a change in mindset of people if the destitute and the poorest of the poor are to be helped out of hunger and poverty.

To my understanding of the mindset towards which he points is "The Evil One threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promiseth you His forgiveness and bounties and Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things." (Aya 268 Sura Al-Baqara).

This threat of poverty leads us to think in terms of everything profit oriented "Micro" even if we want to help "destitute and the poorest of the poor". Then we follow the advise of "Evil One" and forget what Allah (SWT) says "O ye who believe!
1. give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned
2. and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you
3. and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad in order that out of it ye may give away something when ye yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes.
4. And know that Allah is free of all wants and worthy of all praise." (Aya 267 Sura Al-Baqara)

There is very specific mention of the strata of population for whom the charity is

"(Charity is) for
1. those in need
2. who in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel) and cannot move about in the land seeking (for trade or work).
3. The ignorant man thinks because of their modesty that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (unfailing) mark: they beg not importunately from all and sundry.
4. And whatever of good ye give be assured Allah knoweth it well." (Aya 273 Sura Al-Baqara)

In response to deeds of charity by Muslims, Allah (SWT) has declared "Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day in secret and in public have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear nor
shall they grieve." (Aya 274 Sura Al-Baqara)

What else we, the Muslims in particular, need than no fear and no grief whatsoever the nature may be here and hereafter. That tranquillity is ours, the condition is only one.

We have to believe in Allah (SWT).

Poverty Alleviation

Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants and he is Most Forbearing.


O ye who believe! cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury like those who spend their substance to be seen of men but believe neither in Allah nor in the last day. They are in Parable like a hard barren rock on which is a little soil; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it (just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guideth not those who reject faith.

And the likeness of those who spend their substance seeking to please Allah and to strengthen their souls is as a garden high and fertile: heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest and if it receives not heavy rain light moisture sufficeth it. Allah seeth well whatever ye do. 


Does any of you wish that he should have a garden with date-palms and vines and streams flowing underneath and all kinds of fruit while he is stricken with old age and his children are not strong (enough to look after themselves) that it should be caught in a whirlwind with fire therein and be burnt up? Thus doth Allah make clear to you (His) signs; that ye may consider. 


O ye who believe! give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad in order that out of it ye may give away something when ye yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is free of all wants and worthy of all praise. 

The Evil One threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promiseth you His forgiveness and bounties and Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things. 

He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the message but men of understanding. 

And whatever ye spend in charity or devotion be sure Allah knows it all. But the wrong-doers have no helpers. 


If ye disclose (acts of) charity even so it is well but if ye conceal them and make them reach those (really) in need that is best for you: it will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what ye do.

It is not required of thee (O Apostles) to set them on the right path but Allah sets on the right path whom He pleaseth. Whatever of good ye give benefits your own souls and ye shall only do so seeking the "Face" of Allah. Whatever good ye give, shall be rendered back to you and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly.

(Charity is) for those in need who in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel) and cannot move about in the land seeking (for trade or work). The ignorant man thinks because of their modesty that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (unfailing) mark: they beg not importunately from all and sundry. And whatever of good ye give be assured Allah knoweth it well.

Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day in secret and in public have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.

Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the Evil One by his touch hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord desist shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (the offense) are companions of the fire: they will abide therein (for ever).

Allah will deprive usury of all blessing but will give increase for deeds of charity: for He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked. 

Quran Sura Al-Baqara Ayat 263 - 276


Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam)as saying: 

"He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of know- ledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book of Allah and they learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves) there would descend upon them the tranquility and mercy would cover them and the angels would surround them and Allah makes a mention of them in the presence of those near Him, and he who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (high) descent does not make him go ahead."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 35 Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6518]

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Chinese Proverb

You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.


Albert Schweitzer
French philosopher & physician (1875 - 1965)

Charity sees the need not the cause.

German Proverb

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

US anthropologist & popularizer of anthropology (1901 - 1978)

Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.

Peter Drucker

American (Austrian-born) management writer (1909 - 2005)

Poverty Alleviation through Charity

I am surprised to find that there is an alternative to poverty reduction through micro finance / micro lending. The program is run by The BOMA fund in Africa. Through three programs, the Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP), Agents of Change, and Cows For Kids, BOMA helps groups in northern Kenya learn how to run businesses, become leaders, and start on the road to self-sufficiency. Executive Director of the BOMA fund, Kathleen Colson says that we focus on economic empowerment, primarily with women, through the Rural Entrepreneur Access Project, or REAP. That's our signature program of micro-enterprise development.We identify and train people within villages to work as business mentors. They must have strong community roots, work well with women, and have a sustainable income through some kind of business. They then organize small businesses around groups of five women and provide them with business skills training and a small grant of 150 dollars. The groups are mentored for two years. She says that I think that grants are the right way to go for an effective poverty alleviation program when you're dealing in areas where you have the truly ultra-poor who don't have experience or skills with business. It's not so much about the 150 dollar grant as it is about the business skills training program and helping people identify the discipline that's required in starting these very small businesses. Her theory of helping the poors is very much in line with Quranic injunctions. "They ask thee what they should spend (in charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good Allah knoweth it well". Aya 215 Sura Al-Baqara