Prudent living
PRESENTLY, many countries are going through a painful cost-of-living crisis. A few years ago, the world faced the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected millions across the globe. Many lost their lives, while others suffered huge economic losses. The global economy has not been able to fully recover from these shocks. In such a situation, families need to be vigilant, especially about how to surmount day-to-day economic challenges.
Economic stability is essential for any family to survive and prosper. Therefore, every family should try and improve its economic status while abiding by the ethics of Islam such as hard work, saving, sharing, and gratitude to Allah, etc.
The economy depends on earthly resources. Islam says: “He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth,…” (2:29). This means that there is no dearth of resources on earth. Allah is the Creator and continues to create resources for humanity. The science of economics helps guide us on how resources are to be used.
Islam enjoins Muslims to practise moderation, instead of being miserly or becoming spendthrifts. Allah says:“And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and in severe poverty (17:29).”
Similarly, Islam does not like wastage of resources (7:31) but emphasises prudent living, so that every individual can achieve the goal of quality life. But what is prudent living? It means making wise decisions based on principles and managing practical affairs in an effective manner. Studies have shown that people who lead prudent, conscientious lives can also end up having a longer, healthier life. In other words, families have to look carefully at the economic context which is around them.
Simplicity is the habit of living frugally.
Pakistan’s economy is currently going through severe uncertainty, facing numerous economic hardships including inflation, high cost of day-to-day needs, severe climate shocks and insufficient public funds to finance development programmes. There will be no surprise if, in the coming months, we see more difficult situations causing further instability and uncertainty in many sectors. Therefore, every family must be prudent in daily spending because it is the right way to prepare for the future.
In crisis situations, people are always left to fend for themselves; very few helping hands come forth. Therefore, families should tighten their belts, strive to live within their means, contain their expenditure, enhance their income and minimise the use of utilities such as electricity, gas and water etc. Above all, families must be disciplined in financial matters.
Leading a simple life is the need of the hour. However, it is difficult to define a simple life. It is subjective, for every individual has his or her own standard of simplicity. Simple life for a businessman is totally different from the one who works manually. But generally, simplicity is the habit of living frugally, wasting little, and being thoughtful with money. People who live a frugal lifestyle do not try to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ and get trapped into constantly buying more. This is a time of hard work, earning more and reducing the overall cost of living and trying utmost to save money for the future.
In a nutshell, every middle-class family has to make plans for careful spending and stop buying that which is not needed. Families have to evaluate their lifestyle and be prudent while spending money on day-to-day commodities. For example, consuming more locally grown vegetables or locally manufactured goods, instead of costly imported items or processed food, can help save money while being good for one’s health. In frugality, one has to avoid expenditure on fast food, drinking sugary beverages, smoking, betel nuts, paan and other harmful things.
The condition of those families who have only one breadwinner is more precarious, therefore, they have to be extra vigilant. Similarly, the middle- and working-class households should focus on their health as any health issue at the time of financial crisis can make the situation more cumbersome and unbearable. Moreover, in these difficult times, the government should improve health services at public facilities as lower middle-class people cannot afford costly private healthcare. Without health, no one can visualise a happy and prosperous life. In other words, life becomes extremely difficult if one’s health deteriorates.
An unhealthy person remains dependent on others. His mind remains obsessed with his constant pain and agony. Therefore, each one of us needs to monitor and nourish our health throughout life. As the Holy Quran says: “O’ you who believe! Take care of your own selves” (5:105).
The writer is an educationist with an interest in religion.
Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2024