The Philosophy of Zakāt — Page 30
THE PH ILOSOPHY OF ZAKAT 30 even doing that would not absolve the miner of all his obligations. Yes, he did pay an additional amount to all those who gave him assistance in making the huge profit. But what about the share of those who have not put in any labor in working the mine? Th e whole world has a share in the treasures of the earth. Islam has, therefore, made it incumbent to pay the Zak ā t - a share from the earnings into the treasury of the government so that they would spend these for the benefit of the whole nation. In this way every man gets his due share directly or indirectly and h e reaps the benefit of his share that God Almighty had granted him in His creation. Therefore, the wealth from which the due share of the others has been paid becomes purified and when people understand and realize that due share of everyone has been paid they will not clamor for and claim any more for their rights. There shall be peace i n the country; and the spirit of righteousness and doing good to others and culture and good behaviour is inculcated. This, as we all know, is most urgent and essential for national stability. Hazrat Shah Waliullah, Muhaddith of Delhi, while discussing the philosophy of Zak ā t, writes in his book Hujjatulah - il - Balighah : ‘It must be clearly understood that Zak ā t has been made incumbent on account of two reasons. Firstly for the training of the soul; secondly for fulfilling the social and national requirements. As regards the training of the soul it is quite clear that weal th is the root cause of social ills like niggardliness, selfishness, mutual enmities and other