In the post, I wanted to step back and question that inner voice that blames the poor for their homeless.
We often equate colonization with physical violence, like the invasions of Iraq, Afghanistan and so on. But the deadlier part is how Capitalism re-shapes the hearts and minds. And that doesn’t just happen in Iraq/Afghanistan; it’s everywhere that Capitalism is implemented.
That inner voice that tells us to look down on the homeless is shaped by individualism. Capitalism teaches us to blame the homeless for being unhoused. Capitalist mythology maintains that the person didn't work hard enough that they ended up on the street. It's their problem. Not yours. Go buy that latte as you walk past that guy lying on the heating vent.
Let’s break that concept by looking at the reasons how these three individuals became homeless.
Meet Mark Alexander. He was born to a poor family, who has been homeless since he was 13. He eventually settled in LA. He ended up working as an investment banker, raising money for movies, working on the private placement of stock and other such things. As he explains, his financial woes started because he took a stand and refused to work for an oil & gas company that promised a 29% annual rate of return. Still, his clients were only seeing 1%. He had a solid track record for 15 years with his landlord, paying each month on time. But he was late on one payment – missing by 8 days. So, the merciless landlords evicted him, so they could hike the rent. He tried to work for his brother. That didn't work out. He tried to sell the stuff that he stored. But he couldn't access it.
Meet another Mark, who is homeless in Seattle. As noted in the show notes: “In 2008, Mark's wife and daughter died, and shortly after he had a nervous breakdown. Mark then spent seven months in a hospital getting better. Mark then found out that no matter how legitimate a reason, that if you don't show up to work or pay your bills for several months, you lose everything!”
Finally, there is Dennis. He was wiped out financially through a series of unfortunate events and a bad relationship. He can't live with his mom, a senior's assisted living center, due to the rules. However, he says something quite remarkable: "What hurts the most is the friends and family that used to be there, that when you get into this situation, everybody just chucks it up to drug abuse or bad choices...that's not always the case. Sometimes it's just the choice is made for you and you don't have any choice."
What Dennis understands is the truth: we are not deities that have control over much. Islam recognizes that results are out of our control. Think of a farmer. He plants, waters and fertilizes his crop. But disease, an expected frost or a swarm of locusts, can devour all that hard work.
All praises are due to Allah. Humans are not the source of success. All success is from Allah (swt). We make choices, but unfortunate events can happen to anyone:
“No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being - indeed that, for Allah, is easy - In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you. And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.” [TMQ 57:22-23]
The Islamic economic system is built on this type of consciousness. Consequently, we recognize that anyone – doesn’t matter how rich you are today – could end up being tested with poverty. We must be humble, not arrogant. In contrast to the individualism prescribed by Capitalism, Islam looks at society like a human body. Each part is dependent on each other. At the same time, each component is unique. It's okay to put all of one's body weight on the feet. The same pressure on the neck will cause it to snap. When one sees the unfortunate, they must not only work to alleviate their situation but hold the government accountable. It's society's fault if people are chronically poor. Why don’t they have access to housing? Why are the family/neighbours not helping? Why is the zakat not reaching them? All these questions and more must be answered. We are all in this life together. If we don’t help each other out, who will?
As Muslims who live in the West, we must work extra hard to push back against this colonization of our minds. We should not think we are immune to such forces, just because we are not in Iraq or Afghanistan. We, too, must purify our minds of the corrupt Capitalist concepts about homeless and poverty. Islam alone should define how we think about poverty and the poor. Moreover, we should work to spread the correct understanding of these things, as no one else will.