The Human and Social Significance of Zakat
Zakat, which is one of the pillars of the religion of Islam, is an act prescribed by Allah for His servants. Zakat is not a personal charity or voluntary generosity, but a mandatory financial worship prescribed by Allah for the wealthy.
In this brief article, we will discuss two main aspects of Zakat. The first relates directly to the giver and receiver of Zakat, while the second concerns its unparalleled significance at the human, social, and economic levels.
The significance of Zakat among people
We can understand that Zakat is a matter of utmost importance and special significance from the fact that in the Holy Quran it is mentioned together with prayer (Salah), which is the second pillar of Islam.
Paying Zakat purifies the giver's heart from selfishness and greed for wealth, and increases their compassion and goodwill towards the poor. At the same time, by fulfilling the worship prescribed for them, the giver protects their wealth from calamities, and their heart and body from the punishment of the Hereafter.
Zakat removes envy and malice from the recipient's heart towards the giver, and strengthens mutual respect and brotherhood in society.
The human and social significance of Zakat
History shows that the just distribution of wealth in any society has been the key to its social stability, economic development, and high levels of mutual affection among people.
The Islamic economic system, which is the oldest among all regulated economic systems, advocates for the complete eradication of poverty and the creation of an economic society where the basic needs of all people are met. Zakat is a unique system given by Allah to achieve this goal. Below, we list the importance of Zakat and its beneficial aspects for society.
- Social harmony and justice. Zakat is a bridge between the rich and the poor. In modern economies, wealth accumulates in the hands of a few, while the material condition of the poor continues to deteriorate. One of the goals of Zakat is to prevent such social inequality.
- Social protection. Zakat is a tool of social protection. Today, those with sufficient funds help the needy. If tomorrow the situation changes and those very people need financial assistance, they can receive the necessary funds for their livelihood from others.
- The best deterrent against wealth hoarders. Zakat is taken from cash and accumulated wealth. Therefore, a person who pays Zakat each year tries to increase their wealth through some commercial/entrepreneurial activity as investment, meaning they strive to increase their wealth so it does not decrease year by year. As their wealth increases, they pay more Zakat, thereby fulfilling their obligation and benefiting society. Here, the linguistic meaning of Zakat as "growth" becomes clearly evident.
- Circulation of wealth in society. Due to Zakat, wealth does not accumulate in one place but benefits society as a whole in the form of circulating capital. Zakat significantly contributes to the reduction of poverty. If the Zakat system is properly implemented, poverty can be completely eradicated from society.
- Human brotherhood. Zakat strengthens the bond between people and the spirit of brotherhood among them.
- Fulfilling one's duty and self-respect. Zakat is an obligatory act for the wealthy. This does not mean they are being generous to the poor; rather, it means they are striving to protect themselves from Allah's wrath in the Hereafter by fulfilling the duty prescribed by Allah.
- Eradication of begging. If every person capable of paying Zakat fulfills their duty, the poor or needy in society will not resort to begging. While the religion of Islam makes it obligatory for the wealthy to extend a helping hand to the needy, it also discourages the poor from begging.
- Peace and development. Zakat ensures social justice by providing financial balance between different strata of society. As a result, the crime rate also decreases. In this way, the entire society strives for and achieves development in harmony. The just distribution of material wealth reduces unemployment rates and prevents economic crises.
If those capable of paying Zakat sincerely and fully fulfill this obligation prescribed for them, along with the state's social programs, Zakat can be a tool to positively transform the economic, social, and spiritual condition of an entire society.
Surah At-Tawbah, verse 103:
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلَاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
"Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah's blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing."
Surah Maryam, verse 31:
وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا
"And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and Zakat as long as I remain alive."
Source: zakotim.uz