THE PROPHET MUHAMMED (SAWS) AND HELPING THE POOR

One of the most widespread and dangerous problems faced by humanity is that of poverty, hunger and starvation. There is nothing more horrifying than the realization that as we live our happy lives here, millions of our fellow human beings live in hunger and face starvation. The majority of the world population today lives in poverty. It is clear that the world system we have set up today is unjust and inhumane.
One of the great reforms that the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) brought was the rights and treatment of the poor. Prior to the advent of Islam, the pagan Arabs used to disregard the poor, they would look down on them, and could care less about them; the poor people were basically an insignificant portion of society that did not matter. However so, with the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) that all changed, the Muslims were now obliged to look after the poor, and were required to spend of their wealth to help the poor out. For instance the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) taught the following: Narrated Abu Huraira (RadhiAllahu Anhu): Allah’s Apostle (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, “Allah said, ‘O son of Adam! Spend, and I shall spend on you.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 64, Number 264] Clarification: