Salamun alaykum,
More for a lesser price:
As one walks down the aisle between the shelves stacked with food and fruits in the various stores / supermarkets it has become common to see attractive posters announcing budget offers, multi buy savings, buy one - get one free, prices reduced....
What is the effect?
These colourful displays announcing figures of reduced prices attracts one to buy the items on offer. Without a further thought as to whether there is need for the item or need for the larger quantity, the shopper picks up several items on offer and places them in the shopping trolley. Under the impression of saving money and getting more food or fruits for a lesser cost the shopper walks to the checkout delighted at the bargain in the trolley.
Later at home, after some days it turns out that a number of the food /fruits bought are not consumed. Having reached the expiry date these foods are thrown as waste in the bin.
Have you at sometimes found yourself in this type of situation?
The UK's Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) reported recently that between 30% and 50% or 1.2-2bn tonnes of food produced around the world never makes it on to a plate. This means that as much as half of all the food produced in the world – equivalent to 2bn tonnes – ends up as waste every year.
Do you realise that this is food that could be used to feed the world's growing population – as well as those in hunger today. It is also an unnecessary waste of the land, water and energy resources that were used in the production, processing and distribution of this food.
In its analysis some of the reasons for this enormous figure of waste is due to unnecessarily strict sell-by dates, buy-one-get-one free and Western consumer demand for cosmetically perfect food, along with other reasons.
What has one done?
By taking up the attractive offers one has contributed to wasting –asraaf- of the food. Muslims are strictly prohibited to do asraaf.
"....and eat and drink, but do not waste; Indeed Allah does not like the wasteful." Sura al A'araaf 7:31
Question:
Do you 'live' by this verse?
How will you put into practice the above verse when you go shopping next time?
In addition to food and water do you apply it for other items such as clothing, shoes, furniture, kitchen appliances, electronic gadgets and other personal items?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat