| Maulana Saud Alam Qasmi | |
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Shikwa-e-zulmat-e-shab
se to kahin behtar tha; Let's ask some simple questions. How many of the eight areas are we using our zakat money for? Should we restrict the use to just a few? If the answer is yes, then what was the need for these eight areas to be mentioned by Allah? Before we discuss the spirit of zakat, the letter of zakat better be clear to us. Are we using zakat to free any slaves. We may immediately rush to say there are no slaves any more. But, behold! Not long back, liberation of bonded labourer groups from the clutches of tyrants was in the news on a daily basis, all over India. Did we hear any Muslim organizations or the use of zakat in these movements? Are we sure there are no bonded labourers (modern slaves) any more? Are we getting any indebted persons rid of the debt burden? May be at individual levels, there are some isolated cases, but are there any concerted efforts? Every now and then, we hear cases of people taking loans from local sharks and Shylocks to get their daughters married off or to get their sons admitted into colleges, or to get looted by clinics and hospitals. If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time Till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew. [Quran, 2: 280] Well, what about the meaning "growth"? Is zakat helping the community towards this end? Can we start thinking in this direction? Are we using it for any form of Jihad? Well, today, fighting against enemies of Islam means Jihad-an-nafs (fighting against our own ego), the struggle to strengthen our inner selves or conscience - to purify, commit, motivate ourselves to perform better than others, generate resources and build capabilities that can prepare us for any war imposed on us. And by Nafs, and Him Who perfected him in proportion; Then He showed him what is wrong for him and what is right for him; Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself. And indeed he fails who corrupts his ownself. [Quran, 91: 7-10] >> But the Unbelievers (are steeped) in self-glory and Separatism. [Quran 38:2] >> And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,- none but persons of the greatest good fortune. [Quran, 41: 35] >> Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification, And have in their minds no favour from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High; And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction. [Quran, 92: 18-21] ............. Part-2: The Spirit of Zakat (Zakah) Current Campaign: Vote, suggest ways and means for economic empowerment, Participate in action References: 1. http://qaradawi.net/arabic/meetings/al-muntada/program-17-1-98.htm as in http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/Fiqhi_Issues/Rulings_of_Zakat-ul-Fitr/02.shtml |
