Social Impact of Zakat on Muslim Society

Zakat is the most cardinal and vital system in an Islamic order. Its nature, structure, and function can be better envisaged in the total perspective of an Islamic system of life. Hence it becomes imperative to elucidate the basic tenets of Islam and to highlight Zakat as a basic institution of social order. The teachings of Quran wisdom and Sunnah evolves and develops a social order on such grounds which are the strongest and stable including the system of Zakat and other Sadaqaat. 

As Zakat is an important system of Islamic ideology, therefore, it plays an active role in the spiritual and social life of Muslim society. The payment of Zakat is not only mandatory and obligatory but as an institution and system, Zakat is an important source of stability of the society. The system of Zakat ensures proper distribution of wealth and has a wide impact on the entire setup of society. If Zakat is established as an institution, it will create a collective social security scheme for mutual help/sympathy and resources can be further utilized for social development. 

Different religions, whether, heavenly or man-made, and all social systems came forward to teach him how to live with peace, harmony, and respect with others. Islam, among all of them, gives a complete code of life. It deals with all aspects of an individual’s personal and social life, such as spiritual, moral, economic, social etc. The Islamic system of worship is not confined to a mere set of rituals rather it embodies complete obedience to Almighty Allah and peaceful relations with human beings. This fact runs like a motif in all Islamic teachings. As we will concentrate on Zakat in this paper, we see that Zakat on one hand, purifies the giver’s soul and take him closer to Allah, while on the other, produces in him feelings of love, brotherhood, and generosity towards humanity. These humble, loving and caring fellows then collaborate to make a better human society. 

Zakat purifies the soul of the giver from selfishness and greed and cleans his wealth from a portion specified for the unfortunate. Though, payment of Zakat apparently decreases money but, in a broader sense, it causes circulation of wealth, which results in its multiplication and thus involves more and more people in its benefits. Definition: Zakat is obligatory (Fard) on all Muslim men and women who are Sahib-e-Nisab i.e possess a specified limit of wealth, to pay each year a prescribed portion from capital or savings like farm produce, cattle, business activities, paper currency, and precious metals such as gold and silver 

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: 

“Islam was built upon five pillars: to witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and messenger, performing prayer, giving Zakat, performing pilgrimage and fasting the month of Ramadhan”. 

The First caliph Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique (RA) declared war on the tribes whore fused to pay Zakat, though, they were still observing Salat and professing Islam in other matters. He reasoned that Divine Law (Shariah) cannot be divided and that one cannot follow part of the Holy Book and cast aside other parts.  

The Importance of Viable Economy for a Stable Social System: 

 A human society cannot develop or prosper until and unless it has a strong and viable economy. The poor and the destitute people can fall easy prey to a lot of social evils in order to make the two ends meet. Whereas, financially stable people have the courage to stand against social pressure. Some of the social problems resulting from weak economic conditions may be counted as follows: 

1. Social Impact of Zakat 

Islam concentrates on the reform of individuals, who are constituents of a society. Usually all the Islamic commands start from the individual and travels to the establishment of an ideal community of the people. It is quite a natural process of positive change. Zakat, in the same way at first builds character of an individual and then brings a lot of impacts to the society. 

Individual Impact 

1. Generosity: 

Man is naturally greedy and his thirst for more and more material gains never satisfies. Zakat is a sort of journey from inside to the outside. He learns to come out of the race of personal interests and think for other human beings. He extends financial help to the poor and the needy. It cleanses an individual from avarice, selfishness and miserliness. The Holy Quran says” 

وَمَن یُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِھِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ ھُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ 

“And whoso is saved from his own avarice such are they who are successful” 

The holy Prophet (SAW) has said: 

“Avoid from avarice as people before you were annihilated due to avarice” 

1. Sincerity of Faith” 

Zakat is also called “Sadaqa” which is derived from “Sidq” which means truth. Proper calculation of assets and capital for the sake of excluding prescribed amount for the poor and the needy, is an ample proof of the individual’s sincerity of faith. It also shows his complete submission to the will of almighty Allah. Because in the words of Holy Quran, it is the characteristic of the hypocrites that “they come not to worship save reluctantly” Narrates Abu Zar (RA) that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said: 

 “They are the losers on the day of Resurrection, by the Lord of The Ka’bah” I asked “Who are they? May my Parents ransomed to you!” He said, “They are the wealthy except those who spend here and there. 

1. Self-Purification 

Zakat, on one hand, purifies the individual who gives Zakat from selfishness and indifference, while, on the other, it purifies those who receives Zakat from the feelings of haltered against the wealthy people. Thus, it creates love for others in the individual and saves him from self-indulgence and ego-centricity. 

1. Obedience to Law 

It makes an individual a responsible and obedient citizen. The Holy Quran says” 

یَا أَیُّھَا الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا أَطِیعُوا اللَّـھَ وَأَطِیعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ 

“O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger and those of you who are in authority” 

Divine orders are, in a sense, a sort of training to make a person obedient to laws and thus become civilized and cultured. 

1. Special financial Aid 

Zakat is distinct in all other forms of charity in contemporary society, as it also seeks to relieve an insolvent from his unsettled debts. It also provides necessary financial aid for the wayfarer who unexpectedly faces financial risk regardless of being rich or poor. 

Collective Impact 

As usually all the Islamic commands start from the individual and travels to the establishment of an ideal community of the people. Zakat, in the same way at first builds character of an individual and then brings a lot of impacts to the society. The collective impacts of Zakat are as follows:- 

1. Social Harmony and Justice 

Zakat bridges the gulf between the haves and the have-nots. In capitalistic economies, we see that the wealth accumulates into a few hands and the condition of the poor further deteriorates. One of the purposes of Zakat is to avoid such social disparity. The Holy Quran Says:- 

كَيْ لَا یَكُونَ دُولَةً بَیْنَ الْأَغْنِیَاءِ مِنكُمْ 

“This (Wealth) may not circulate solely among the rich from among you”. 

1. Social Security 

Zakat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow, they will get what is necessary to help them live decently”. 

1. Best Check against hoarding 

Zakat is not levied on the income rather on the savings and hoarded items. So the person who pays Zakat every year, prefers to invest his wealth and get it increased, lest it should dwindle year after year. In this way, the literal meaning of Zakat i.e 

‘Growth’ materializes. The Holy Quran says” 

َ وَمَا آتَیْتُم مِّن زَكَاةٍ تُرِیدُونَ وَجْھَ اللَّـھِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ ھُمُ الْمُضْعِفُون 

“That which you give in Zakat, seeking Allah’s countenance, has increase manifold” 

This helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more real purchasing power in the hands of the poor. 

1. Circulation of Wealth 

 Zakat keeps wealth in circulation and thus it benefits the whole society. The holy Prophet (SAW) advised his companion Mua’az bin Jabal, while he was proceeding to Yaman “to teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor”. 

Thus Zakat helps a lot in decreasing poverty. If proper Zakat system is established, the poverty will vanish away from the earth.  

1. Human Brotherhood  

Zakat brings the people closer to each other and ensures real brotherhood in the true sense of the word and spirit. The holy Quran has made performance of ‘Salat’ and payment of ‘Zakat’ both as pre-requisites of Islamic brotherhood. The Qursan says:- 

 “But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due (Zakat), then they are your brethren in religion” 

1. Promoting self-respect 

Zakat is obligatory on the wealthy people. If they pay Zakat, they are just performing their duty assigned by almighty Allah. They are not doing any favor on the poor and the destitute. Because, if they do not pay a due share, they will have to face wrath of Allah on the Doomsday. Narrates Abu Huraira (RA) that the holy Prophet (SAW) said: 

 “No owner of the treasure who does not pay Zakat ( would be spared) but (his hoards) would be heated in the fire of Hell and these would be made into plates and with these, his sides and his forehead would be cauterized till Allah would pronounce Judgment”(19) 

That is why the Zakt givers are themselves thankful to the receivers as they are helping to fulfill their duties. The holy Quran says” 

یَا أَیُّھَا الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ 

 “O you who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury (20) 

1. Discouraging Beggary 

If everyone pays Zakat from among the haves, no poor and the unfortunate would have to resort to begging. Now-a-days, we find beggary as a menace facing many societies. Islam on one hand, ordered the affluent to care about the destitute and, on the other, prohibited the poor and the needy from stretching hands before others. Narrates Abu Huraira (RA) that the holy Prophet said:- 

 “Whoever begs from people so  as to accumulate more riches, he is asking for a live coal (fire) from Hell, so let him ask for a lot or little”(21) 

1. Peace and Prosperity 

Zakat ensures social justice by bringing financial balance among various strata of society. It decreases the crime rate and terrorist inclinations among society members. Thus the whole society strives together and achieves development and prosperity. Equal distribution of wealth curtails the rate of unemployment and reduces the chances of economic recession. (22) 

To Establish an Institution of Zakat 

It is the duty of the Islamic state to collect Zakat from all those who meet the criterion (23) 

• The eight kinds of recipients of Zakat as mentioned earlier indicate That the collection and distribution of Zakat require a proper system coordinated by the state. The collections will be paid through Zakat fund.  

• Almighty Allah has asked his beloved Prophet (SAW) 

خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِھِمْ صَدَقَةً 

“Take alms of their wealth” 

• The holy Quran mentions as the duty of the Islamic state to collect Zakat. The Quran Says:  

الَّذِینَ إِن مَّكَّنَّاھُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَھَوْا عَنِ الْمُنكَر 

“Those who; if we give them power in the land, establish worship and pay the poor-due (Zakat) and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity.” 

• The holy Prophet (SAW), and the four righteous caliphs after him managed the institution of Zakat, collected and distributed ‘Sadaqat’ throughout their caliphate 

• Zakat is not just a charity for beggars and low-class people, rather a form of social security that can only be materialized if it is established as an institution.