What is the ruling on saying "hunger is an infidel (kufr)" with reference to the noble verse: {And Allah presents an example: a city that was safe and secure, receiving its provision in abundance from every place, but it denied the favors of Allah. So Allah made it taste the garment of hunger and fear for what they used to do}, and is it permissible to describe hunger as disbelief (kufr) given that it is one of Allah's soldiers?

The saying "Hunger is disbelieving" means that hunger obscures the mind and consciousness, just as intense anger covers a person's understanding and intention. People have also observed that severe hunger can drive a person to disbelief or to commit forbidden acts, which is why the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sought refuge from the trial of poverty.

As for God sending something as a punishment, this does not mean that this thing has a noble status; God may punish with things that have no sanctity, such as the punishment of Pharaoh's people with blood and frogs, and the punishment of the Children of Israel with disbelieving servants.