The Philosophy of Zakāt — Page 29
THE PH ILOSOPHY OF ZAKAT 29 Zakat – M eans O f P urifying W ealth Zak ā t not only purifies the soul and inculcates good morals, it causes one’s wealth and possessions to be purified. While explaining the meanings of the word Zak ā t we also explained that when Zak ā t portion has been paid the remainder does indeed become pur ified as it provides protection from loss and ruination. This is because in the possessions of the wealthy there is a share of others also. Unless and until their share has been paid, the wealth remains impure and sullied. The Holy Quran says: ‘And in their wealth was a share for one who asked for help and one who could not. ’ ( 51:20 ) The above verse clearly points out the fact that all wealth is earned through joint effort and they all have their share in it. There are some who are connected directly with its earnings and there are those who are not so directly connected. They did not work but they still have their share in it. Let us, for instance, take the case of a rich man who makes a huge profit from working a mine. He has paid for the labor of all those who helped him in the working. Whatever he has paid them is due to them only f or the labor they have put in. But according to the teachings of the Quran, they also hold a share in that mine because all the treasures of the earth were created for the benefit of all mankind - not for any single person. Therefore, even after having been paid for their labor, their share of the ownership of the mines still remains unpaid. One way of doing it would be to pay an additional amount, out of the profits, to the laborers or other workers. But