The Philosophy of Zakāt — Page 13
THE PH ILOSOPHY OF ZAKAT 13 Zakat is T he M eans of N ational P rogress We have given above the purposes for which Zak ā t funds are used to provide assistance for people of different walks of life who need to be assisted. It is evident that Zak ā t is an effective means of national progress and advancement. Zak ā t is a state check and not charity. The Promised Reformer, Mirza Mahmud Ahmad, may God be pleased with him, has stated: ‘No religion except Islam provides an injunction like that of Zak ā t. No doubt something like Zak ā t is also found in the Jewish faith, but not in so fine a detail as in Islam where all the different heads of expenditure are also explained at length to inclu de all possible means of national progress. Zak ā t entails a collective effort which is not found in the Jewish ordinance. In the ordinance of Zak ā t in Islam each and every type of needy person has been described. As for example a certain person lacks finan ces for business. Islam commands that he should be given assistance. There is a tailor quite proficient in his profession but he is unable to buy a sewing machine. Islam commands that he should be helped from the Zak ā t funds; then there may be a man who is fully conversant with the work of a horse - trap which he wishes to ply for hire. But he lacks the capital to buy with. Islam commands that he should be given assistance in buying this for him. A traveler comes to a town. He is very well off and has enough money with him but he is robbed and has no time to get anything from home. He also should be