Zakat and Socio-Economic Development

Zakat and Socio-Economic Development

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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…

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Principles of Justice in the Quran

Principles of Justice in the Quran

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There are four key principles of Justice, given in the Quran. The first principle of justice given in the Quran is, to judge people according to qis’ṭ (قِسْط), in such a way, that there is no bakhs (بَخْس), khus’rān (خُسْرَان)/ khus’r (خُسْر) or ẓul’m (ظُلْم) to anyone, i.e., giving everyone his due (right), and putting everyone and everything at their rightful place and time.

The Quranic Teachings on Charity (Sadaqaat)

The Quranic Teachings on Charity (Sadaqaat)

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  The Arabic term sadaqa (plural: sadaqaat) has been used in the Quran both for charities given to the poor by individuals (Al-Quran 2/271) and for the contributions/funds collected by the Islamic Authority/State (through a centralized mechanism) to be spent for the purposes defined in the Quran (Al-Quran 9/103 and 9/60). The term ‘Sadaqaat’ has been used in contrast with the term ‘Riba’ (i.e. usurious gains or interest on loans). يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ…

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Pride, Self-conceit, Vanity and Boastfulness

Pride, Self-conceit, Vanity and Boastfulness

The Quranic terms “Mukhtaal” (مُخْتَالٍ) and “Fakhoor” (فَخُورٍ)  denote people who show excessive pride, self-conceit, vanity and boastfulness. The term “Fakhoor” for the “Boastful” person comes from the Arabic word “Fakhoor” used for a she-camel having a large udder but little milk inside. Boastful people tend to put up a display of greatness because of things extrinsic to themselves with little goodness inside their personality or character. Such people have been condemned in the Quran. وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً…

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Giving Respite and Relief to the Debtor

Giving Respite and Relief to the Debtor

وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ If the debtor is in (financial) difficulty, let there be postponement of the payment till ease (of his monetary condition). But if you remit/write-off the debt by way of charity, it would be better for you, if you understand (its benefits for your spiritual development/self-actualization). Al-Quran 2:280

Riba in the Quran

Riba in the Quran

The Arabic word Riba (root: ر۔ ب ۔ و) has the following primary meanings: -Increase, augmentation or growth (e.g. in money, wealth or property) -{رَبَا المَالُ: The property increased} -An excess or addition (however slight, over and above the principal sum that is lent) [Ref. Hans Wehr; Lane’s Arabic-English Lexicon; Steingass; AA Nadwi] If one lends anything to anyone as a favour, one should keep in mind the following principle given in the Quran: وَلَا تَمْنُن تَسْتَكْثِرُ And do not…

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The Quran on Charity (Sadaqaat)

The Quran on Charity (Sadaqaat)

  The Arabic term sadaqa (plural: sadaqaat) has been used in the Quran both for charities given to the poor by individuals (Al-Quran 2/271) and for the contributions/funds collected by the Islamic Authority/State (through a centralized mechanism) to be spent for the purposes defined in the Quran (Al-Quran 9/103 and 9/60). The term ‘Sadaqaat’ has been used in contrast with the term ‘Riba’ (i.e. usurious gains or interest on loans). يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ…

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