Introduction

Islam is the religion and way of life that was revealed to humanity by our creator, Allah (swt) .Since Allah (swt) is the one who created the heavens and the earth, and out of His unlimited mercy to mankind, He also revealed to us a way of life and a religion, Islam, that give us peace and happiness in our lives here on earth and in the afterlife. Islam was revealed as a practical religion that covers all aspects of our lives, and it is intended to be implemented in our lives. It brings peace and justice to earth, after all, who is more just and wise than Allah (swt), the creator of the heavens and the earth, the most knowledgeable?

As such, when implemented honestly and correctly, Islam provides solutions to all problems that are faced by humanity. One of the most widespread and dangerous problems faced by humanity is that of poverty, hunger and starvation. There is nothing more horrifying than the realization that as we live our happy lives here, millions of our fellow human beings live in hunger and face starvation. The majority of the world population today lives in poverty. It is clear that the world system we have set up today is unjust and inhumane. Otherwise, how can we allow this situation to continue with less than 10% of the world population controlling over 90% of the wealth and resources on this earth?

Islam, revealed to humanity over 1400 years ago, came with the most just and easy solution to the problem of poverty, hunger and starvation in this world. If Islam is implemented in the world today, the problem of poverty, hunger and starvation would be completely eliminated within a year. Islam, revealed to us by Allah (swt), the most knowledgeable, wise and just, solves the problem of poverty and hunger through several methods:

The Obligatory Zakat

Islam makes it obligatory on every Muslim to pay a certain “tax”, called Zakat, on their accumulated wealth. The money collected from this Zakat is to be distributed among the poor and needy.

The Arabic word “Zakat” means both ‘purification’ and ‘growth’. One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to Allah (swt), and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. Our wealth is purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth in our wealth.

Zakat is due on accumulated wealth that has been in the possession of a person for at least one year. There are rules on how to pay Zakat on each type of possessions, such as gold, animals, crops, shares and so on. A certain percentage of each type of these possessions is to be paid as Zakat. Note that the Zakat is taken from excess wealth that a person is accumulating and has had in their possession for over a year. It is not paid on income. Therefore, people whose save nothing after covering their expenses with their income do not pay Zakat, and in fact may be eligible to receive Zakat money from others if their income does not cover all their needs.

The Zakat is to be distributed among people of the following categories, depending on need:

1) The Destitute: Those who don’t have material possessions nor means of livelihood.

2) The Poor: Those with insufficient means of livelihood to meet basic needs.

3) The Indebted: Those who are in debt and have difficulty repaying it.

4) Stranded Traveler: The traveler who does not have enough money to complete their journey.

5) To Free Slaves: Zakat money is to be used to purchase slaves and free them. 6) New Muslims: Those who are new to Islam and require help to integrate themselves into the Muslims community.

7) In the Path of Allah: Zakat money can also be spent in the path of Allah. This can include many things, basically any project that helps Muslims or Islamic causes.

Zakat Workers: Those whose job it is to collect and re-distribute Zakat money get their salary from the Zakat money.

How Can Zakat Eliminate Poverty and Starvation?

If Islam was implemented in the world today, starvation would be eliminated from the planet within the first year. The Zakat due on agricultural products ranges from 5% to 10% of the produce. There is also Zakat due on various types of animals such as sheep, cows and camels. Imagine if 5%-10% of all agricultural production in the world, plus the required amounts on animals are distributed among the hungry and starving people of this world. The problem would be solved immediately. In the system we have today, some nations intentionally spoil a part of their agricultural production in order to maintain high prices for their produce. Can you see the difference between the system driven by human greed and the Islam which was imposed by Allah (swt), the most gracious and most merciful?

In addition, Islam can solve the problem of poverty. Consider the Zakat due on money. Zakat is due at 2.5% on money that has been in one’s possession for over a year. Now consider this simple fact: Forbes Magazine reported that in 2004 there were 587 billionaires worldwide, with a combined net worth of $1.9 trillion dollars. If in 2004 these 587 richest people in the world paid zakat, we would have had $47.5 billion dollars distributed among the poor.

This calculation has just considered less than 600 individuals on this earth. What about if everyone contributed to a global Zakat fund in the same way? The total world GDP (summation of gross domestic product of all countries in the world) was estimated in 1999 to be $27,357.9 billion dollars. The 2.5% Zakat on this would amount to $683.95 billion dollars annually. These are just ball park figures to give the reader an idea of how much money Zakat can generate.

This Zakat money should not only be distributed for immediate relief to the poor. It can also be given in the form of small business loans. For example, poor farmers can be given loans or even grants from this Zakat money to enable them to purchase the equipment and materials they need to lift them out of poverty. The same can be done for small business owners, or for the poor to set up small workshops or factories to lift them out of poverty once and for all. Within a few years, poverty would be eliminated or at least greatly reduced.

Optional Charity

As discussed earlier, the obligatory Zakat imposed by Islam can easily solve the problems of poverty and starvation in the world. However, in addition to that, Islam greatly encourages Muslims to give extra charity. For example, the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) once said that the person who sleeps full while his neighbor sleeps hungry is not a true believer. Islam also always encourages charity in all situations. For example, for the persons who are not able to fast in Ramadan, they are required to feed some poor people for each day they do not fast. And there are many such examples.

Examples of Charity in the holy Qur’an and the Sunnah

Allah (swt) says:

“And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 110)

Allah (swt) says addressing the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (pbuh):

“Of their goods take alms (charity), so that you might purify and sanctify them, and pray on their behalf.” (At-Tawbah 9: 103)

When the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (pbuh), sent one of his companions to call the people of Yemen to Islam, he asked him to tell them the basics of Islam, among which was: “… and tell them that Allah has made obligatory on them a charity that is taken from their rich and given to their poor…” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah (swt) says:

“So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah), and (in all sincerity) testifies to the Best, We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, And gives the lie to the Best, We will indeed make smooth for him the Path to Misery; Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the hell fire).” (Al-Layl 92: 5-11)

Allah (swt) says:

“By no means shall you attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which you love; and whatever you give, Allah knows it well.” (Aal `Imran 3: 92)

Allah (swt) says:

“O ye who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. They are in Parable like a hard barren rock, on which is a little soil; on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guideth not those who reject Faith.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 264)

Source: http://www.al-islami.com/islam/islam_solves_poverty.php

Zakat is an important pillar of Islam that the Muslim community in Nigeria has largely abandoned. It is imperative that we move towards building this institution.

JazakumLlahu Khayra for sharing OP

Aslm. indeed if zakat is been accepted in our world today not only will poverty seize to exist but to a large extent greed will reduce significantly. and in the case of out own country one of the main purpose of corruption is greed. we pray that the Muslim ummah of today heed to the lessons of zakat and just maybe the vast majority of people around the world might seem to find some positives in it. and maybe it can become a law. Jazakallahu khairan

Masha Allah! Jazakallahu Khayran for this educative article.

To pay your Zakat In Nigeria or get more info about Zakat related issues, visit

http://www.zakatandsadaqat.org.ng/

Jazakallah bil Jannah.

It does no such thing. Zakat is just a way for wealthy muslims to massage their conscience. If it was so effective there would be o poor muslim in the world

D hand of a giver is always on top.that is my belief

May Allah (swt) guide us all...thanks op

Jazakallahu Khairan,we hope and pray our brothers and sisters will act accrodingly and also spread the knowledge to more for better ubderstanding and it's usefulness, Ameen.

Jbenue:
It does no such thing. Zakat is just a way for wealthy muslims to massage their conscience. If it was so effective there would be o poor muslim in the world

it looks un effective because, some of d rich do not follow d injunction, if dey do, dia shd b no poor muslim

One of the beauties of Islam..... Jazakallahu khairan.

.

Alhamdulillah a'la nihmatul Islam

Jummat mubarak

Jazakallah Allah khayran.

May Allah make it easy on us.

I think Zakat could be effective in reducing poverty but it WILL need to be used in conjunction with other measures:

1. The spread of free contraceptives and education regarding birth control: if the poor are not hungry and well-fed, their children will survive and they will produce more people that will need to be fed. Agricultural production is not improving at impressive rates it did in the past, so any increase in population will endanger the status of the poor and hungry.

2. The protection of our soils and environment in order to avoid desertification and preserve agricultural production. If we do this, agricultural production will not decline when oil becomes more scarce (which will happen eventually), and we will be prepared to deal with the world's poor as oil is less accessible.

3. Invest a lot in renewable energies and technology in general, so that we can produce enough energy to maintain and improve education, healthcare and social services.

Just giving money and food to the poor is not going to solve the problem if they keep having ten children per family, it will just delay the problem, and in the end we will have many more poor people and less food to feed them.

But painful...now we live in a world where greed and self centredness rules, few are rich and majority die poor...its simple, reason being that every rich human now believes his/her effort got them their wealth, since al they do is steal and acquire wealth in sinful ways,it is difficult to give, Allah (swt) is not a party to fraud and theft...and their purnishment is bound....

[quote author=danny87 post=33058704]I think Zakat could be effective in reducing poverty but it WILL need to be used in conjunction with other measures:

1. The spread of free contraceptives and education regarding birth control: if the poor are not hungry and well-fed, their children will survive and they will produce more people that will need to be fed.
Agricultural production is not improving at impressive rates it did in the past, so any increase in population will endanger the status of the poor and hungry.





I disagree wit ur point one above.
Allah say interpretation of d verse

"You and ur children i Allah is d one feeding you"

dia4 stop using ur analogy wen it comes to islam and say we shud control d increasing population.
Let me ask you ds question Wen you were in ur mother womb was it ur fada or moda dat were feeding you?

When I was in my womb, I was being fed by the nutrients my mother provided to me through her placenta. She needed to eat to survive.

The existence of famines all over the world PROVES that people die when they lack food, especially when the world cannot provide enough food or it is not deployed fast enough. Having too many mouths to feed and not enough food makes it a problem. Having a lot of children, especially when you cannot provide for them because one is poor, does not bring you closer to Allah (swt):

"Know that the life of this world is merely a game and a diversion and allurement and a cause of boasting among yourselves and trying to outdo one another in wealth and children: like the plant-growth after rain which delights the disbelievers, but then it withers and you see it turning yellow, and then it becomes broken stubble. In the hereafter there is terrible punishment but also forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure. The life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion." (Qur'an 57:20)

This competition of having more children and more money is against our values, and to reduce poverty and famine simple contraception could be used.

masha Allah

Thanks for the write up bro.

Jazakhallahu khairan

You see d problem the world are facing now is basically on religion when ever. U see anybody briNg an idia from is religion that will favour the whole. World other people in another religion will be agaist it insted of quoting a verse in his/ her book.

Surely its one of the 5 pillars of Islam, but everyone is after his own confort without knowing that its in the remembrance of Allah that heart find peace.

May Allah help us all, aameen

As-salaam alaykum warahmatullah. Can anyone educate me on Zakat payment for salary earners?

ameenahz:
As-salaam alaykum warahmatullah. Can anyone educate me on Zakat payment for salary earners?

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah sister. Zakat payment is not paid on salary that is spent in under one year. It is only due on wealth that has been kept dormant for one full hijri year, and which is equal to or more than the nisab; a variable minimum amount...which usually varies according to the current market price for silver/gold.

For a similar question asked, you may check this...

http://islamqa.info/en/26113

Allahu a'laam.