Does Existence of Poverty Contradict God's Promise of Providing Sustenance?

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Many people and societies have faced poverty in history, leading even to their elimination. The continuation of such a condition may promote a question in one’s mind and that is how this can be justified considering God’s virtue of providing sustenance to all creatures.

If, based on verses and narratives, God is the Provider and has guaranteed sustenance for creatures, how come there are so many poor and hungry people in the world?

Answering this question, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, one of the major Shia scholars, says that God has guaranteed sustenance of all creatures in the world, however, the responsibility of acquiring that lies on every individual. If some people lose their sustenance due to laziness or if arrogant powers keep people in poverty by exploiting them, the actions of humans should be blamed.

In addition to guaranteeing people's sustenance, God has established laws to support the poor, which if implemented correctly can eradicate poverty and prevent the death of millions of people.

Wealth accumulation, hoarding, and exploiting others are among the main causes of poverty and hunger. Many of the hardships seen in human societies are the result of the oppression of one group on other groups. This oppression is not exclusive to tyrannical governments as the efforts of some people to wrong draw benefit from everything can lead to poverty and hunger in any society.

Man's effort to earn a living is also an important issue in eliminating poverty and hunger. God has divided sustenance among his servants but this cannot be a good reason for us to sit at home and not put any effort.  The Quran says in verse 39 of Surah An-Najm “And that everyone shall have in his account only that which he worked for.”

If someone strives to earn a living, he will definitely earn what is destined for him according to his needs.

Also, God has provided many ways to eliminate poverty and hunger, which causes financial circulation and attention to the poor. Acts like Khums and Zakat are among these laws.

The obligatory charity shall be only for the poor and the needy, and for those who work to collect it, and to influence hearts (to belief), for ransoming captives, and debtors in the Way of Allah and the destitute traveler. It is an obligation from Allah. Allah is Knowing, Wise. (Surah At-Tawbah, verse 60)