Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 211
Economic Peace 211 It is the freeing of a slave; or feeding on a day of hunger an orphan, near of kin; or a poor man lying in the dust. 29 In other words, the right choices are: 1. The genuine and true service of mankind, which is acceptable to God, has been described here. The foremost of those that need any help is that man should help those who are under any bondage or ties. Any service contrary to this concept is regarded by God as worthless. In the light of this, the modern system of providing financial aid to less developed countries with preconditions and strings attached to the aid is totally rejected. 2. The next choice is the feeding of an orphan even if he or she has a guardian to support him or her. 3. The final choice is the feeding of a destitute who is so helpless as though he had bitten the dust. Although addressed in the singular, these verses are evidently describing a wide scale crisis. The connotation of the word yaum (lit. day) and the general style of expression is so obvious. Upon reflection, the implications of this verse paint a very clear picture of how big, wealthy and powerful nations treat the poorer ones who stand in dire need at times of extreme helplessness. They are provided with aid but with strings attached. Thus the very purpose and spirit of helping others is destroyed. They are liberated apparently from one misery only to be led into the snare of another.