A Study of the Limit of Poverty and the Causes Affecting It

Poverty has been counted among the most notable socio-economic problems whose destructive and vast effects has provoked the policy-makers in different fields to suggest and perform various policies for destroying it. The first step of the policies lies in recognizing the poverty-stricken, the fact that given ambiguity in poverty limit may not be established. As is understood, the limit of poverty is also affected by different approaches of measuring poverty and its indicator. The paper, applying descriptive and analytical method, has intended to explain Imam Ali`s view on the limit of poverty and the agents affecting it. Imam Ali (a) has viewed the limit of poverty to be subsistent requirements for life, kifaf. The limit of poverty is considered to be in proportion to need, In the field of consumption, near to moderation and justice and being in proportion to spiritual and bodily qualities and official and personal position etc. in this way, contrary to the current concept of absolute and relative line of poverty, the limit of poverty may not be viewed to be the same for all cases; rather, it is relative and personal.