Ramadan is a month of restraint, compassion and accountability. It is a time when believers are urged to control their desires, share with the needy and uphold the highest standards of honesty. Yet, every year, as the holy month begins, markets tell a different story. Prices rise overnight. Essentials disappear from shelves. Hoarders and black marketers sense opportunity — and move in without shame. This is not just unethical. It is immoral. The Prophet (PBUH) warned against hoarding and profiteering, especially when it harms the public. Exploiting people when they are fasting, budgeting for Iftar and Sehri, and trying to meet household needs is not business — it is betrayal. Ramadan is meant to soften hearts, not harden greed. From vegetables and meat to dates and edible oil, artificial shortages are created to inflate prices. Traders with “two hands” meant for fair earning instead use both to squeeze consumers. The burden falls hardest on daily wage earners and low-income families already struggling with inflation. Black marketing during Ramadan strikes at the spirit of the month. Charity cannot coexist with exploitation. You cannot sponsor Iftar on one hand and hoard essentials on the other. Faith demands consistency. Authorities must act decisively. Market inspections should intensify. Penalties must be swift and visible. Hoarders thrive on weak enforcement. A strong message — through fines, licence suspensions and public accountability — can deter malpractice. But enforcement alone is not enough. Society must reject such practices. Religious leaders, civil groups and consumers must speak out. Buyers should report overpricing. Communities should support ethical traders and boycott exploiters. Ramadan is a test — not only of hunger, but of character. Those who hoard and black market during this sacred month may gain short-term profit, but they lose something far greater: trust, respect and moral standing. In a month meant for mercy, let us not allow greed to dominate the marketplace.