Md. Zillur Rahaman :
Islam has made zakat obligatory for the suffering humanity to protect the interests of the poor. In Islamic economics, there are guidelines for the distribution of all kinds of wealth, and there are specific guidelines for maintaining economic balance in human society through zakat. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah the Almighty declares, “Wealth should not be circulated only among your rich.” (Surah Al-Hashr, verse 7) and ‘in their (rich people’s) wealth there is certainly the right of the destitute (poor) and the deprived.’ (Surah Al-Jariyat, verse 19).
One class of rich people will build mountains of wealth and money, while the other class of poor people will be afflicted with the cruel scourge of extreme hunger and poverty, such a heinous practice Islam never supports. Islam has largely preserved the rights of the poor, the rights of the poorest of the poor through wealth, generosity of wealth and justice. The rights of the poor over the wealth of the rich have been repeatedly mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.
Generosity is a great virtue from a human point of view. Many virtues of charity have been described in the Qur’an and Hadith. The hadith says, “Generosity is a tree of Paradise, which will take him to Paradise” (Mishkat Sharif). This virtue is for any time but there are special virtues for charity in Ramadan. This is good news for all Muslims who are religious and financially capable to donate.
Zakat is a very important Rokon or worship of Islam. After Iman, the most important and essential acts of worship are Salat (Prayers) and Zakat. Prayers and zakat have been enjoined in many places in the Qur’an and infinite blessings, mercy and forgiveness as well as self-purification have been promised to the loyal servants of Allah. The lexical meaning of zakat is to be purified, to be increased. In Zakat terms, to make a poor Muslim the owner of a fixed portion of wealth, according to the Shari’ah. On the condition that the poor Muslim Prophet (PBUH) its descendants or their freed slaves cannot be and the property of the zakat payer must be completely freed from that property and must be given for the pleasure of Allah.
The most important thing in physical worship is prayer, just as the most important thing in financial worship is zakat. Due to their boundless importance, Allah has described these two acts of worship side by side in the Holy Qur’an. The importance of zakat in Islam is immense. Allah mentions Zakat along with prayers in 82 places in the Qur’aan. Besides, prayers and zakat are very closely related to each other. Many of us donate a portion of our money as Zakat without settling or properly counting the accounts. In fact, such donations are not considered as Zakat, they can be ordinary donations. At the time of paying zakat, the amount of nisab has to be calculated properly and then the right of zakat is realized.
One does not pay zakat, he will go to Hell on the Day of Resurrection (Tabarani). According to another hadith, if a person to whom Allah has given wealth does not pay zakat on that wealth, then his wealth will be turned into a bald venomous snake on the Day of Resurrection. He will have two black spots on his eyes which will be wrapped around his neck like a chain on the Day of Resurrection. Then the snake will bite his jaw and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure.’ (Bukhari Sharif, 1/188).
Zakat maintains the economic balance between the rich and the poor in the society. The rich can set a shining example in humanitarian service by paying zakat at the end of one-fourth of their surplus wealth. In the Islamic system of distribution, if the rich give zakat to the poor for a portion of their wealth, the wealth of the poor increases a little and economic inequality is eliminated. In this way the economic balance of the society is maintained as a result of the distribution of Zakat according to the provisions of Islam by deducting a certain portion from the income of the rich and adding that reduced portion to the income of the extremely poor. Rasulullah (PBUH) said, “Surely Allah has made it obligatory upon them (the rich) to give sadaqa (zakat), which will be collected from the rich and distributed among the poor.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Numerous verses in the Holy Qur’an directly or indirectly discuss zakat, sadaqa, fatwa and wealth and its expenditure. The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Give every rightful person his due.’ (Bukhari). Islam has recognized the basic rights of the poor in the society as well as given them a dignified status with utmost importance. The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘40 years before the rich and the poor, the poor will enter Paradise. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will ask the angels, ‘You see, where is my beloved slave?’ The angels will say, ‘O Lord of the Worlds! Who is your favorite servant? The answer from Allah will be, “They will be poor Muslims. They were satisfied with my bounty and blessings. Take them to Paradise.”
Many helpless people, especially the poor and destitute, are passing difficult times due to price hike of essential goods in the present times. They are living with many difficulties, but unable to seek help for fear of embarrassment. Can’t pay rent, many people are not able to fast properly due to lack of food. Zakat can be paid at any time of the year but we choose the month of Ramadan as the best time in the hope of more rewards and virtues. There is no limit to charity in Islam. Wealth is not diminished by any gift, but is increased and blessed. If we extend a helping hand to the poor and needy by donating a little more after paying Zakat this year, then just as the beneficiaries will benefit, so too the giver will have many rewards on the occasion of the month of Ramadan. So come on! We please Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). We stand by the side of the helpless people, as if with the money of your zakat-fetra, a smile appears on the face of the unfortunate people. Amen.
(The writer is a banker and columnist
Satish Sarker Road,
Gandaria, Dhaka.
zrbbbp@gmail.com)
