Zakat and Socio-Economic Development
The Arabic term Zakat (or Zaka) (زَكَاةٌ, or زَكٰوةٌ,) (from the root ز ک و) has several meanings/ significations/ connotations, according to different dictionaries of the Arabic Language, including Lisan al-Arab and Lane’s Arabic-English Lexicon. The primary signification of the word Zakat (زَكَاةٌ, or زَكٰوةٌ), is: increase, augmentation, growth, development, progress and prosperity (نمو،رَیْع). It is said in a saying of Ali (R.A.), المَالُ تَنْقُصُهُ النَّفَقَةُ وَالعِلْمُ يَزْكُو عَلَى الإِنْفَاقِ (Wealth diminishes through expending, but knowledge increases by expending). {Please note the…