Ramadan, a month of blessing known as the “Spring of Deeds”. A month in which Muslims from all over the world do worship of god with more dedication. It is considered as the pious month of the year for Muslims. Despite of having the month of blessing, unfortunately countries like Pakistan suffers in it because of the increase in the prices. In this article we’ll look up on some of the reasons that why in Ramadan the prices of commodities increases in Pakistan.
Reasons of price hike during Ramadan:
There are several reasons that may contribute to an increase in prices during Ramadan in Pakistan, including:
- Increased demand: Ramadan is a month of increased religious observance for Muslims in Pakistan, which often leads to an increased demand for certain goods and services, such as food, clothing, and gifts. This increased demand can push prices up as suppliers try to meet the higher demand.
- Shorter working hours: During Ramadan, many businesses in Pakistan operate on reduced working hours, which can affect the supply chain and distribution of goods. This may cause shortages or delays in getting products to market, which can drive up prices.
- Higher production costs: Some businesses may face higher production costs during Ramadan, such as the cost of hiring extra staff to meet demand or the cost of overtime for existing staff working shorter hours. These costs may be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
- Seasonal factors: Some products may be more expensive during Ramadan due to seasonal factors, such as the higher cost of certain food items that are traditionally consumed during the month, or the increased demand for clothing and gifts for Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
- Inflation: Inflation is a long-term trend of rising prices due to factors such as an increase in the money supply or a decrease in the supply of goods and services. This can contribute to higher prices during Ramadan, particularly if inflation is already high in Pakistan.
Ramadan in the light of Islam
Looking up over the etiquettes set by Islam, tells us how to spend the month of Ramadan in a right way. Islam teaches us to live in such a way that one’s life won’t be a burden or a difficulty to others. In fact it gives us the lesson to help others.
There are several hadiths that emphasize the importance of helping the poor and needy during Ramadan. Here are a few examples:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting person’s reward.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
These hadiths emphasize the importance of giving charity and helping the poor during Ramadan, as it is a time when the rewards for good deeds are multiplied. By feeding a fasting person or giving charity, one can gain immense rewards and have their sins forgiven. Ramadan is a time of generosity, and Muslims are encouraged to give to those in need as much as possible.
But unfortunately here the situation is a little bit different, instead of getting the food, the poor has been deprived of it due to the inflation. The most concerning issue here in this scenario is the inflation. The poor of the country is unable to eat even after the fast as the prices of commodities are very high and they cannot afford it so that’s why they need to break the fast by drinking water only which is a heart breaking thing because living in a Muslim state and still deprived of food in the holy month is unfortunate.
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Solutions to overcome this problem:
Controlling price hikes during Ramadan in Pakistan can be a complex task that requires the cooperation of both government and businesses. Here are some possible strategies that could help to control prices:
- Price controls: The government could impose price controls on certain essential goods to prevent businesses from exploiting increased demand during Ramadan. However, price controls must be implemented carefully to avoid unintended consequences, such as shortages or black markets.
- Monitoring: The government could set up a system to monitor prices of essential goods during Ramadan and take action against businesses found to be engaging in price gouging or hoarding.
- Increase supply: The government could work with businesses to increase the supply of essential goods during Ramadan, such as through subsidies or incentives for production or imports.
- Consumer education: The government could launch consumer education campaigns to encourage shoppers to be aware of prices and to compare prices across different stores. This could help to create more competition among businesses and prevent price gouging.
- Alternative shopping options: The government could encourage the use of alternative shopping options such as online marketplaces or home delivery services, which may offer more competitive prices than physical stores.
- Improved distribution networks: The government could work with businesses to improve distribution networks during Ramadan, such as through better transport and logistics, to ensure that essential goods are available in all parts of the country.
Ultimately, controlling price hikes during Ramadan in Pakistan will require a coordinated effort between government and businesses, as well as consumer education and awareness.at the end the people should also take part in this work by giving a small act of kindness to others. As it’s our Prophet (peace be upon him) Sunnah.
