The sacred month of Ramadan, which is full of blessings and mercies, is with us. In many countries of the world, on the occasions of different festivals and events, prices of basic commodities are reduced so that the people of lower and middle class could also celebrate the festival; but on the other hand, our beloved homeland, ‘Pakistan’, which came into being in the name of Islam, gives an opposite picture in this regard. Unfortunately, those who are involved in inflation, become very active in the blessed month of Ramadan, and leave no stone unturned in increasing prices one way or the other. Inflation on the blessed occasion of Ramadan and different religious and social festivals is becoming a running sore for our society. Some people look forward to such events almost all round the year, they resort to hoarding goods in advance, make other such arrangements so that they earn huge profit.
For the inflation taking place on the occasion of different religious and social events including the blessed month Ramadan, one solution is that the people should buy only essential commodities; they should give up buying unimportant, additional and other desirable things related to adornment. For example, if there is an expensive fruit, then instead of preferring it, they should buy comparatively the cheaper one; instead of buying colourful and tempting soft drinks, they should subsist on plain drinking water; instead of spicy and fried items such as Kebab (dish consisting of small cubes of meat), Samosa, Pakora (fried dishes with a savoury filling) and other spicy edible items, they should be content with plain food. Though, this practice will be quite hard for their Nafs (inner-self) and there is a possibility that their family members will also resist this practice. So, on such occasions, they should make up their own and their family members’ mindset in this way, ‘The blessed month of Ramadan is not to eat, drink and rest; rather, it is the month of worshipping Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, attaining piety and asceticism and earning Jannah by opposing the desires of Nafs. By the virtue of acting upon this Madani tip, they will not only have relief from inflation to a great extent, but will also cut down the domestic expenses. It will also lead to safeguard their health, and they will also be liberated from treatment expenses to a certain extent.
2 Tips for reducing inflation
٭ Price of raisins once increased in Makkah Mukarramah. People complained to Sayyiduna ‘Ali رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ about it. He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ said: Use dates in place of raisins (because when you do this, then due to the lack of demand), its price will go down. (Tareekh Ibn Mu’een, pp. 168)
٭ Someone said to Sayyiduna Ibraheem Bin Adham رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه: The price of meat has gone up (what should be done?) He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said: Make it cheaper, i.e., give up buying it. (Risalah Qushayriyyah, pp. 22)
In the blessed month of Ramadan, affluent and wealthy Muslims should use their wealth, bestowed by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, for pleasing the poor and needy Muslims, and provide ‘self-respecting individuals with low-income’ with provisions and fruits etc. in a wise and graceful way while taking care of their self-respect, and earn the reward of the Hereafter.
Ya Ilahi! Tu Madinay mayn kabhi Ramadan dikha
Muddataun say dil mayn yeh ‘Attar kay arman hay
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