Zakaat - Rules and modern issues

Introduction

Allah Most High has created human beings and genie only for His worship.  It is given in the Holy Quran:

And I created the jinn and human beings solely to adopt My servitude.  Surah Dhariyaat (51:56)

In Islam, worship is not limited to the confines of a mosque.  Worship in this religion is not a mere ritual.  Instead, worship in Islam enables a person to come closer to the Lord Almighty and to develop cordial relations with the creation.  The Islamic forms of worship carry a profound relevancy and a deep effect.  The role played by Islamic forms of worship in bettering the society cannot be denied.

Be it Salaat, fast, Zakaat, Hajj, Seclusion (‘Itikaaf), sacrifice of animals or other forms of charity, directly or indirectly, they benefit not only the person who performs them but also benefit the society as a whole.

Especially, the Islamic system of Zakaat is a perfect example of sympathy and brotherhood.  It also stands as a testimony to mutual help and economic justice in the society.  By implementing the system of Zakaat in its totality, the world can free itself of economic injustice.  Mankind can save itself from economic problems and a gratified society can be developed in which all sections can lead a contented life as per their own effort and status.  The individuals of the society will be models of ethical and will be free of greed, avarice, selfishness and opportunism. 

Through Zakaat, wealth is distributed properly.  Wealth will not be stagnant in a few hands and will circulate.  Needy people will receive their monetary dues.  The way business people and craftsmen, etc. lead affluent lives, in the same way, the necessary needs of the poor and needy people will be fulfilled.  There will be no bad blood between the affluent and the needy folk.

In the Islamic forms of worship the most important after Salaat is Zakaat, which is a pillar of Islam and an essential article in it.  The obligation of Zakaat is explicitly established by the Holy Quran, the Hadith and the consensus of the Ummah and analogical deduction support and emphasize it.