The Philosophy of Zakāt — Page 32
THE PH ILOSOPHY OF ZAKAT 32 nots can be properly and timely assisted. The command of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that ‘Zak ā t should be taken from the rich and given to the poor’ denotes that the basic principle of Zak ā t is sympathy for mankind and help ing the poor. From the details given by the Holy Quran it becomes quite clear that the underlying idea is the support of the poor. The Holy Prophet was always very anxious to help the have - nots in their distress, their difficulties and in their scanty mean s and he, therefore, took the undermentioned steps in this matter: He spent his own life like that of the have - nots and always supplicated, ‘O my Lord God, so long as I live I should be poor and take me to Yourselves while I am still poor and on the Day of Resurrection raise me up with the poor people. ’ He did not confine his help of the poor only to their spiritual enhancement but took practical steps to remove their poverty and want. He adopted practical means the best and most effective of which was the institution of Zak ā t and which served as a sure guarantee for their sustenance and other needs. History provides us with an undeniable evidence how splendidly the institution of Zak ā t worked and helped the needy in such a manner that in no time the social conditions were radically changed so much so that few have - nots wer e to be found in the length and breadth of the Muslim Empire and people became so prosperous that when people went about in search of the needy they could not find one who deserved help. Zak ā t is the most effective means not only of ending poverty and want in the society but is the best course of improving the