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The Philosophy of Zakat - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief The Philosophy of Zakat 2022-10-17 400 Views Zakat , Poor due , Alms Giving It is obvious for three reasons that the role of the public treasury and zakat (which is one of the sources of income for it), is of extreme importance.

Firstly, Islam did not manifest itself as an ethical, philosophical or theological doctrine but rather, came forth as a comprehensive religion that catered for all the material and spiritual needs of the people. Secondly, Islam, from its very onset during the time of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a), had always been associated with the establishment of a government, and thirdly, Islam pays special attention to supporting the underprivileged ones and combating class difference in the society.

Without any doubt, every society has its share of people who are incapacitated, diseased, handicapped, orphans without guardians and the like, who need to be cared and looked after. In addition, in order to protect the society from the evil intentions of enemies it is in need of an army, whose expenses are covered by the government.

Similarly, there is also the need for funds to be allocated for the employees of the Islamic government, judges, religious centers and, advertising and promotional equipments, which cannot be organized and regulated without an assured and disciplined monetary support.

For this reason, the issue of Zakat, which in reality is regarded as a kind of ‘tax on income and production’ and ‘tax on stagnant wealth’, acquires great significance in Islam, to the extent that it is even placed at par with the most important acts of worship – on numerous occasions it has been mentioned together with the prayers and has even been regarded as a condition for the acceptance of the prayers!

We even read in the Islamic traditions that if an Islamic government seeks zakat from some individuals and they stand up against the government and refuse to pay it, they shall be regarded as apostates. Furthermore, in spite of repeated counselling, they refuse to back down from their stubborn stance, it is permissible to use military force against them. The incident of the People of Raddah is well known in Islamic history.

It is about a group of people who refused to pay their zakat after the demise of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w), whereupon the Caliph of the time initiated a military campaign against them.