The Thinking Muslim
Ramadan: The Radical Reset for a Capitalist World – with Imam Tom Facchine
Mar 3, 2025
Imam Tom Facchine, research director at Yaqeen Institute, dives into how Ramadan acts as a radical reset against capitalist values. He discusses the month’s spiritual essence, urging self-reflection, community focus, and justice while critiquing materialism. Facchine highlights zakat’s role in addressing socio-economic inequalities and emphasizes the balance between individualism and collectivism. The podcast explores how Islam promotes responsible wealth use and critiques capitalist philosophies, advocating for a return to community-oriented practices.
49:45
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Quick takeaways
- Ramadan critiques capitalist values by promoting self-discipline through fasting, encouraging reflection on essential priorities such as faith and community.
- The practice of zakat during Ramadan fosters wealth redistribution, reinforcing the communal responsibility to care for each other and address social inequalities.
Deep dives
Ramadan as a Challenge to Capitalism
Ramadan serves as a significant critique of capitalist ideology by encouraging believers to reflect on their values and priorities. The month promotes self-discipline through fasting, which challenges the materialistic mindset that equates success with constant consumption and productivity. It emphasizes that relying solely on material wealth and individual effort can lead to an unhealthy mindset dominated by greed and selfishness. During Ramadan, Muslims are reminded of the importance of faith, community, and the collective responsibility to care for one another, countering the isolated individualism often seen in capitalist societies.
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