COLLECTION OF ZAKAT AND USHER – A DUTY OF THE STATE

In the Holy Quran, where ever the Muslims have been asked to say prayers (SALAT) regularly, payment of Zakat along side has been emphasized. That is why soon after the death of the Prophet (PBUH), the first Caliph waged a war against those defying the payment of Zakat. There is a big lesson in this act of the first caliph of Islam. Besides stopping the newly turned muslims from a wrong practice with far reaching implications for Islam, it established the writ of the Govt. Briefly, the newly born Islamic State of Madina would have collapsed for want of much needed funds to run the State if the collection of Zakat by force was not imposed. Prayer (Salat) is perhaps an act between an individual and Allah whereas Zakat is something which has to be taken by the State from those muslims who are liable to pay Zakat. There is no escape, what so ever from it.

Pakistan is an Islamic State as enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan. It is therefore incumbent upon the State to collect Zakat. If the tax payers today in Pakistan is about two million it can safely be assumed that the number of Zakat payers shall not be less than 20 millions. According to a very rough estimate over 400 billions can be collected only under the head of Zakat while Usher from lands if honestly collected can give such an economic boost to the state that it shall require no taxation which is cumbersome to collect and involves a clossal expenditure on its administrative set up. The process of Zakat collection being divine shall have the blessing of Allah, which we all need and at all times. Perhaps the religious scholars, the Economist etc. etc. on the subject could sit together to analyse the issue of Zakat and Usher, carry out an objective assessment and put up recommendations to the Government for implementation. In this way we shall not only involve each citizen in the development of the state but also shall be able to cool down their tempers which the government now faces in the form of defiance/resistance/evasion.

Time has come when we have to decide whether we are a muslim state or not. Half way this way and half way that way has not paid us in the fifty years of our chequered history. To the present day problems of Pakistan, the remedy lies in reverting to Islamic teaching which may look difficult to follow but once enforced shall be endowed with abundance (BARKATS) with much needed welfare and relief to the needy. This if followed can get us rid of all the burden of loans which continue to rise with every passing day besides indeed compromizing our economic sovereinghty and inturn posing a threat to our very existence. The enforcement of Zakat System/scheme with the requisite vigour and commitment will not only as described above provide solid basis for the economic progress of the society but also at the spiritual/religions level provide us both as individual as well as millat the opportunity to acquire the pleasure and blessings of Allah, the al-mighty. So as to become a source of our redemption in the event of ultimate/last accountability.

Can we rise to the occasion? Why not? Given the WILL we can. And we will. Inshallah.