Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and serves as the foundation of Islamic economics.
The Arabic word zakat carries two primary meanings: sanctification and augmentation.
When zakat is paid, wealth is purified, and the rightful share of the poor is released. This makes the remaining wealth halal and blessed.
Zakat plays a crucial role in eliminating class inequality, reducing poverty, and increasing economic stability. It prevents the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few and ensures fair distribution.
According to Islamic law, zakat is an obligatory duty for wealthy Muslims.
If a person possesses wealth beyond their necessary expenses for a full year, a specific portion must be donated to eligible recipients as prescribed by Shariah.
The fundamental purpose of zakat is to create an egalitarian society. Islam emphasizes economic justice and seeks to prevent social and financial disparities. If wealth remains concentrated among the rich, the poor will suffer, leading to economic instability.
Therefore, zakat is not merely charity but a mandatory responsibility. It is not a favor from the rich to the poor; rather, it is their rightful due. By establishing the zakat system, Islam ensures that wealth circulates throughout society instead of being hoarded. It strengthens social bonds by fostering compassion between the affluent and the less fortunate.
This system also encourages economic growth, as wealth is reinvested, allowing the poor to improve their financial conditions and contribute productively. The Quran explicitly states the obligation of zakat. In Surah Az-Zariyat, Allah declares: “And in their wealth, there is a rightful share for the poor and deprived.” (51:19).
This verse reinforces that the wealth of the affluent is not solely theirs; a portion belongs to those in need. By enforcing zakat, Islam promotes economic justice, social harmony, and a balanced society where poverty is reduced, and financial security is accessible to all.
During Caliph Omar bin Abdul Aziz’s reign, poverty was virtually eradicated in the Arab world through proper zakat distribution.
However, today, zakat has become a public spectacle rather than genuine assistance. Many wealthy individuals hold large gatherings to distribute saris, lungis, or clothes in the name of zakat. This practice neither aligns with Islamic teachings nor serves its true purpose. Islam does not recognize terms like “zakat sari,” “zakat lungi,” or “zakat cloth.”
These are mere displays of wealth aimed at gaining public attention and media coverage. Such actions distort zakat’s true purpose-providing meaningful financial support to the needy-while chaotic public distributions humiliate recipients. Instead of uplifting the poor, these gatherings often lead to injuries, deaths, and greater suffering.
True zakat improves lives by addressing long-term financial needs, helping the poor become self-sufficient, and ensuring economic balance. Islam mandates zakat to be given in a dignified, systematic manner-not as a public show. The objective is not to showcase generosity but to fulfill a divine obligation with sincerity and humility. Zakat is not a cultural tradition but a pillar of faith.
Turning it into a social event must be eliminated to preserve its sanctity and effectiveness. Muslims must remember that zakat is a duty ordained by Allah-a means of purification, economic justice, and social upliftment, not an opportunity for self-promotion.
The Quran emphasizes its significance: “Truly, those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah 2:277).
Wealthy Muslims can play a crucial role in alleviating poverty alongside conventional mechanisms such as microfinance and tax collection. Ensuring accountability in fund collection, distribution, and promotion-by individuals, mosques, government, and non-government organizations-is essential for maximizing zakat’s impact.
In major cities across Bangladesh, a significant number of affluent Muslims can contribute to poverty reduction by fulfilling their zakat obligations in a structured and meaningful way. If properly distributed, these funds can create sustainable economic opportunities for the less fortunate, leading to long-term social and financial stability.
With the advent of zakat apps, calculating and fulfilling zakat has become more accessible and efficient. To further enhance its effectiveness, Islamic scholars should develop tailored strategies for optimizing zakat distribution in Bangladesh, ensuring it serves as a powerful tool for poverty alleviation and economic empowerment.
owever, in Bangladesh, the majority of wealthy Muslims are not well aware of this issue and are reluctant to pay Zakat in an appropriate way. It is limited to giving cheap clothes to the poor in the form of saris and lungis and a few bucks without any proper measure of business revenues and assets, liquid funds or savings, and gold or silver reserves at the basic rate of 2.5 percent.
The collection and distribution of Zakat funds are yet to be effective, thanks to the lack of proper Islamic knowledge among the Muslim population and also because the system hasn’t been institutionalized publicly and privately. Zakat plays an important role in reducing poverty and promotes equitable sharing of wealth.
Zakat is the world’s first social security system, established in Islam to uplift the poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged by ensuring fair wealth distribution and reducing economic disparity.
More than charity, it is an essential obligation that fosters financial inclusion and social justice. A zakat-based economy promotes social equality and sustainable development by preventing wealth concentration and creating opportunities for the less fortunate. However, for zakat to be effective, it must be administered systematically according to Islamic principles, not as a public display.
When properly managed, zakat empowers the poor, supports self-sufficiency, and strengthens economic stability. It is a transformative tool for social welfare, bridging the gap between wealth and poverty while ensuring dignity and justice for all.
(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP).
