The Philosophy of Zakāt — Page 41
41 Value a nd Wo rth of Zak ā t I n T he E yes of N on - Muslims Even a number of non - Muslims truly acclaimed the worth and fruitfulness of Zak ā t and how it is beneficial to mankind; how it supports and sustains the poor and safeguards the rights of the high and the low; and how this system improves national prosperity and raises the moral and spiritual conditions of the nation. They regard the system of Zak ā t in Islam a very outstanding feature of the faith. ‘Besides the institution of the pilgrimage, the payment of the legal alms is another duty that continually reminds the Muslim that The faithfuls are brothers (49:10) – religious theory that is very realized in Muhammadan society and seldom fails to express itself in acts of kindness towards the new convert, whatever be his race, color or antecedents, he is received into the brotherhood of believers and takes his place as an equal among equals. ’ (T. W. Arnold , The Preaching of Islam — Lahore edition, pp. 415 - 416) The famous German scholar, Joseph Hell, has also discussed the commendable commands of Islam in his book The Arab Civilisation. Having discussed the beauty and the admirable concept of social equality in Islam and the practical training given