Scarcity of Resources: A Quranic viewpoint

By: Issa Al-Riyami*
Recent international discussions on scarcity of resources in our globe triggered me to explore the Quranic viewpoint on Scarcity of Resources as some politicians recently demanded the introduction of the Quranic Financial Principles following the late financial crises (see sources below).

Before I start, it is worthwhile to clarify a common misconception that the Quran is a holy book for Muslims only. This is not true, the Quran is meant for every single human being as clearly stated in Chapter 68: The Quran is nothing but a reminder from God to mankind. (52). So it is everyone’s book!

Scarcity of Resources is addressed in the Quran in 2 angles. The first angle emphasises the need to believe in God’s existence and be thankful to His countless bounties (e.g. life, health, wealth, family, car..) by following His chosen Path for mankind (as set out by Prophets peace be upon them all). This is demonstrated in Chapter 7: but if the people of these communities had believed and feared God, We would surely have showered on them blessings of the heavens and the earth; but they only denied, and We punished them for their deeds. (96) and (Say): If they keep to the right path We shall give them water in abundance to drink (16), Chapter 72. To simplify this by an example: if we see a son who is ignorant to his parents, not thankful at all and always disobey his parents’ teaching then he will be seen by the community as un-thankful, and the community will support any measure/attempt (in a manner not exposing the child to any danger) by his parents to bring him back to obedience and well-behaviour. The same is reflected in these verses, when people are un-thankful to the bounties of God or when they dis-obey the teaching of his Holy Books, then punishment is made available and among it is scarcity of resources: We punished the people of Pharaoh with years of droughts and shortness of crops; that they might receive admonition. (130), Chapter 7.

The second angle is that the Quran prohibits mankind from excessively using the available resources to ensure sustainability and longer term benefits as given in various verses: And do not waste [God's bounties]: verily, He does not love the wasteful! (141) Chapter 6; and eat and drink [freely], but do not waste: verily, He does not love the wasteful! (31), Chapter 7.

Thus, believing in God’s existence (as derived from the beauty and complexity of this universe) and being thankful to God’s bounties ensures continuity of happiness and sustained livings for human kind: If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more (favours), and if you are ungrateful, My punishment is truly severe. (7) Chapter 14.

That’s it for now, please feel free to exchange views in 1-2-1 basis.

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Sources:

Holy Quran: www.quranexplorer.com/quran/

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7918129.stm

The Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4950733.ece

CNN report: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/03/10/bahrain.finance/index.html

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*Issa Al-Riyami is a Contract Engineer working for PDO. He can be reached on issa.riyami@gmail.com

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Link:

http://main.omanobserver.om/node/5590