Is it obligatory to give excess food to the starving during a famine?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
When famine intensifies and necessity afflicts a large number of people, if an individual possesses enough for himself and his family's sustenance, he is not obligated to give it to the needy. It is not permissible for the needy to forcibly take it, as this action leads to the necessity afflicting the provider himself and does not resolve the need of the deprived. This ruling applies equally when people are traveling and the individual possesses only his necessary provisions.
Supporting text
The view held by our companions is that this obligation to give does not apply even if giving away provisions would not harm the provider, because in the latter case, the provider is not currently in dire need while the other party is in need, thus requiring the priority of the necessitous person's need to be upheld. However, the core position maintains that giving such provision is not obligatory because doing so would lead to the destruction of oneself and one's family, which is not required, similar to sacrificing one's life to save a drowning person. Furthermore, giving it amounts to throwing oneself into peril, which God has forbidden.