Why do people die of hunger when God has promised sustenance to everyone?
Answer
Salaam
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It is a common misconception that God has promised sustenance to everyone irrespective of their efforts or the various factors that influence the distribution of this sustenance. The Qur’an does not make such a claim. When it states that everyone’s sustenance (rizq) is provided by God (e.g., Qur’an 11:6), it implies that God has placed the means of sustenance on this earth for all. However, this sustenance is accessible to individuals according to a set law, involving putting in the required efforts to find sustenance and some other factors purely in God’s control. For instance, if a person has abundant food in his home but refuses to get out of bed to obtain it, it will not magically appear before him. Similarly, if an unjust system hinders the equitable distribution of food, people will suffer as a consequence.
The issue of hunger is not an isolated phenomenon. It is interconnected with other global problems such as poverty, injustice, and exploitation and is related to the broader question of human freedom and authority. Often, it is due to human errors or negligence that others are deprived of sustenance or that individuals fail to exert the necessary effort. This situation does not contradict the principle that the Almighty has generously provided the means of sustenance for everyone on this earth.
Mushfiq Sultan serves as an Assistant Fellow at Al-Mawrid and manages Al-Mawrid’s Query Service. His responsibilities at Al-Mawrid encompass research, writing, creation of educational content on various aspects of Islam and responding to the questions received at Al-Mawrid, thereby contributing to the institute’s mission of fostering a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the religion. Presently, he is working on the Hindi translation of Javed Ahmad Ghamidi’s important works, Mīzān and Al-Bayān. He has a profound interest in world religions, their philosophical foundations, and interfaith relations. His research focuses on Islamic, Jewish, Christian, and Hindu thought, with particular attention to scriptural exegesis and theological discourse. He has been teaching at Al-Mawrid Institute since 2018. His current works include an exegetical study of Isaiah 42 and its relevance to the Prophet Muhammad, and a broader inquiry into Hinduism and Islam – exploring a fresh framework for dialogue. He can be reached at sultanmushafiq@gmail.com.
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