Zakat: Importance and significance

Zakat is an obligatory form of charity collected from every individual Muslim. It has a deep humanitarian and socio-economic value. Zakat also helps purify one's soul and encourages a Muslim to have gratitude towards God's bounties. This form of charity is an act of worship and a form of social investment. Zakat is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam.
Literally, the word Zakat is derived from its Arabic root, meaning to increase, to purify, and to bless. Allamah Zamakhshari said, 'Zakat based on fiqh term is a certain amount of property, which is obligated by Allah to be distributed to the right people beside the obligation to distribute the property in certain amount.' It refers to the purification of a Muslim's wealth and soul. Wealth purification denotes the mobilisation of assets for the purpose of financial growth and justified distribution. Purification of the soul implies freedom from hatred, jealousy, selfishness and greed. Other Qur'anic connotations include the purification of sin.
Technically, zakat is a fixed proportion collected from the surplus wealth and earnings of a Muslim. It is then distributed to prescribed beneficiaries for their welfare as well as for the development of infrastructure of the Muslim society in general. This contribution is made payable by a Muslim once in every lunar year or Islamic Calendar, (Hijri).
Zakat can only be distributed to any of the eight eligible beneficiaries (asnaf) that are mentioned in the Quran in Surah Taubah: 60. However, priority should be given to the poor and the needy. In Bangladesh, there is no central authority to administer zakat. Hence it can be paid directly to the needy.
Virtually all prophets are enjoined by Allah to take care of the weak, orphans and the poor through the institution of zakat. In his own words, Prophet Isa said, "He has directed me to pray and give zakat as long as I live" (Qur'an 19:31). This confirms that the institution of zakat in Islam is as old as Islam itself and it has been in operation before the time of Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet was also commanded to collect and distribute zakat in the following words: Take sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them. Verily, your invocations are a source of security for them; and Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower (Q9: 103).
The above verse indicates that apart from being a means of alleviating poverty, zakat also serves the purpose of security for them. In essence, both the donors and the recipients have the divine blessings of this exercise.
The institution of zakat has implications for micro and macro-economic variables. In the former, zakat is said to result in favourable effects on saving and investment behaviours without affecting work efforts. Favourable macro-economic effects are expected to cover economic growth, and distribution of income, poverty eradication, social security and stabilisation.
In Islam, social welfare services are considered part and parcel of faith. This explains why zakat is paired always with salat in numerous verses of the Qur'an. In the light of this, social welfare services could be seen as a trust which must be discharged by the rich to the poor, and the weak. But failure to do so would be meted with punishment. The following Qur'anic verses confirm this: And spend (in charity) that with which we have provided you before death comes to one of you and he says: "My Lord! If only you could give me respite for a little while, then I should give sadaqah (i.e zakat) of my wealth, and be among the righteous. And Allah grants respite to none when his appointment (death) comes. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do (Q.63: 10-11) (It will be said): 'seize him and fetter him'. Then throw him in the blazing fire. Then fasten him with a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits! Verily, this was he that would not believe in Allah, and urged not on the feeding of the poor. So he has no friend here this Day, or any food except filth from the washing of wounds. None shall eat it except the sinners (Q.69: 30-37).
Proceeds from zakat may be spent to integrate new converts to Islam into the Muslim community, especially when such people are cut off from their economic resources or are being intimidated for accepting Islam. Those confused about Islam or who show the tendency to renounce Islam, could also be 'lured' into Islam by giving them a share from the zakat proceeds.
CONCLUSION: Zakat is defined in the Shariah as a determined right due from certain types of wealth. It is one of the Ibadat and a basic element (Rukn) of Islam like prayer, fasting and Hajj. It is obligatory for Muslims, and is not taken from the non-Muslims. It will ensure that the Zakat is paid without any dubious intentions but purely for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'aala) seeking nothing in return.
About 89.0 per cent of the people of Bangladesh are Muslims. Around 62.5 millions of them live below poverty line and therefore they do not pay any Zakat, while majority of the remaining 62.5 millions pay Zakat ul Fitre and a small portion of them pay Zakat ul Mal. Though Zakat is equally leviable upon crops, animals and all agricultural products and livestock, most of the farm owners are not even aware of the mandate. There are hundreds of millionaires who practise Islam but most of them are paying symbolic zakat on the basis of their own calculations. So, there is no structured organisation in Bangladesh for collection and distribution of zakat. The poor and destitutes collect zakat from door to door. The wealthy people in general pay zakat annually at the time of the holy Ramadan calling the poor and destitute to their doors.
Death of Zakat seekers by stampede in the race to collect zakat is happening almost every year. So, we should try to build up structured organization as a Shariyah in our society for collection and distribution of zakat for alleviating poverty.
Dr Mahfuzur Rahman Akhanda is an Associate Professor, Department of Islamic History and Culture, Rajshahi University.
mrakhanda@gmail.com