Significance of Zakath in Ramazan

M.Y.M. Meeadh

We Muslims believe in Islam not merely as a religion of rituals but as an ideology capable of solving all human problems in every aspect of life. It is on this wider basis that we have to approach Zakath, the Alms tax as an ideal solution to the problem of economic inequality and inequitable distribution of wealth. A section of paupers on one side and millionaires on the other side is the most unfortunate division among Muslims of today - especially in Ramazan.

Holy Quran

It is an economic curse too for the crises are bound to occur. It is because of dormancy and deviation from the correct path that we are degenerating as a backward and indolent nation. Ramazan must be favourable enough for all the wealthy Muslims to organize distribution of this obligatory charity among the deserving categories of Muslims.

The institution of charity in Islam, namely Zakath (in Arabic) though placed third among the five principal duties of Muslims has found equal importance and significance along with the prayer (Salath). It is a fact that there are at least 27 passages in the Holy Quran where the orders for Zakath and Salath occur jointly besides scores of other verses where only charity is enjoined. For example let us refer to the Quranic verses: “Those who establish worship and pay the poor due and have sure faith in the hereafter” (11:4). And hath made me blessed where so ever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive. It is quite clear that Zakath also plays the vital role of preserving one identity as a Muslim just as prayer does.

It may be observed that the institution of Zakath is meant to serve two fold purposes. Zakath on one hand aims at purification and on the other it builds a healthy beneficent society. These two purposes are easily served in the month of Ramazan where one who observes fasting endeavours to purify his heart by giving more and more charity to the poor. Thus, he contributes his share to build a beneficent society.

Social equality

When we talk of purification as an object of Zakath, we should remember Imam Al Gazzali who in the course of analysis of the Philosophy behind Zakath stated that one of the principles of philosophy is to defect the human instinct of acquisitiveness and miserliness which corrupts the heart. He says, this can be done by encouraging the belief that extraction of Zakath out of one’s wealth is similar to the draining out of poisoned or excess blood from a living human body, so that its health may be restored to a state of balance.

Thus Zakath makes the rich alive to and responsible for solving the problem of poverty. Morally speaking, Zakath frees the spirit of man from the hold of wealth lighter in direct proportion to the greed of man.

The wealthy are made responsible individually and collectively through the state to see to it that the elementary necessities of life are provided to all members of the nation. What is the result? The nation becomes like an organic whole, mutually supplementing each other morally and financially.

In order to achieve social equality, Islam wields the instrument of Zakath which, with the preservation of its religious character has not allowed the donee feel that he is receiving charity for that that is mindedness and an assumption of superiority which is not warranted for the poor are higher than the wealthy in the sight of Allah. This is how the Zakath brings in social equality which is an impossibility even among the so-called communists.

We all know that Zakath is obligatory upon the wealthy. We also observe that only a few distribute Zakath among the categories of the people as enjoined by the Quran. But the problem of poverty and distress of underprivileged still remains unsolved.

The crying need of today is to organize the system of distribution during the month of Ramazan at village level.

It is only through each Muslim Jama ‘ath that relief to the poor can be evenly and justly distributed. Muslim governments should set example in this field so that others may draw inspiration from such an economic system.