More Than a Meal

Remembering Those in Need — No One Should Be Forgotten

Throughout this week, we have looked at food from different perspectives. We began by reflecting on food as a blessing and the importance of gratitude. We then considered the problem of food waste, explored the memories and relationships built around family meals, and discussed what Islam teaches us about food, moderation and sharing. Today, as we bring our theme, More Than a Meal, to a close, we turn our attention to an issue that affects communities across the world: hunger and the struggle to access food.

Tomorrow, 17 October, is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It is a reminder that poverty is not simply about having less money. It can affect a person’s ability to access food, secure housing, education, healthcare and other basic necessities. One of its most immediate consequences is food insecurity, when individuals or households do not have reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food.

For some people, deciding what to eat is a matter of preference. They might wonder whether to prepare chicken or fish, whether to order takeaway or cook at home, or which ingredients to buy for the weekend. For others, the question is much more difficult: Will there be enough food for everyone in the household today? How will the groceries last until payday? Can a parent provide a meal for the children and still afford the other essentials the family needs?

These are realities that many families face. Food insecurity is not always visible, and we should never assume that we know someone’s circumstances simply by looking at them. A family may appear to be managing well while quietly struggling to afford groceries. Someone we see at work, at school or in our neighbourhood may be dealing with financial difficulties that they are not comfortable discussing.

This is why compassion and understanding matter. People experiencing poverty should never be judged, embarrassed or treated as though their circumstances define their worth. Everyone deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to live a life in which their basic needs can be met.

World Food Day, which we mark today, the 16^th of October, reminds us of the importance of food security and the need to work towards a world where everyone can access sufficient, nutritious food. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty complements that message by drawing attention to the wider challenges that prevent people from meeting their basic needs.

Together, these observances encourage us to think beyond our own tables and consider what we can do to help create communities where fewer people have to worry about their next meal.

From an Islamic perspective, caring for those in need is a fundamental part of our responsibility towards others. The Qur’an repeatedly encourages generosity, charity and concern for people experiencing hardship. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177, Allah describes righteousness in part through giving wealth, despite one’s love for it, to relatives, orphans, those in need and others deserving of assistance.

وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ

and spends his substance – however much he himself may cherish it – upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage;

This reminds us that our faith calls for more than feeling sympathy. It encourages us to translate compassion into action.

Zakah is an important obligation for Muslims who meet its conditions, helping to direct support towards eligible recipients. Sadaqah offers another way to give voluntarily according to our means. Sometimes, this may involve contributing financially to a trusted organisation. At other times, it may mean donating groceries, supporting a community food programme, preparing meals for someone experiencing hardship or helping a family access assistance.

We should not underestimate the value of small acts. One household donating a few essential groceries may seem like a modest contribution, but when many people do the same, the collective impact can be significant. A community that organises food collections, supports local feeding initiatives and looks out for vulnerable neighbours can help ensure that people are not left to face hardship alone.

At the same time, we must recognise that charity alone cannot solve every cause of hunger and poverty. Long-term solutions also require attention to employment opportunities, affordable nutritious food, education, social support and the circumstances that prevent people from earning enough to meet their needs. We can offer immediate assistance while also supporting efforts that help individuals and families build greater stability.

Ultimately, the message of More Than a Meal is that food carries a responsibility. We should appreciate the meals we have, respect the resources used to produce them, and remember that access to food is not equally secure for everyone.

As we end this week, let us carry these lessons into our everyday lives. Let us be grateful without becoming complacent, generous without seeking recognition, and mindful of those whose struggles may not be visible to us.

Because a community is not measured only by how much it has, but also by how it treats those who have less.

May we never become so accustomed to the food on our own tables that we forget those who are still hoping for a meal.