Social security in Islam

Sidrah Unis
Dawn, 19 October

THE underlying rule predominant in the sum of economic activities in Islam is that all wealth belongs to Allah: “And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah has power over all things.” (3: 189)

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees.” (57:7); “And that it is He (Allah) Who gives much or little (of wealth and contentment).” (53:48) Yet, He has granted all men access to what He has created so that they can exploit the same for their own benefit and wellbeing.

This shows that mankind can exercise discretion and explore and exploit to the best of their ability. At the same time, keeping in view the everpresent dichotomy of rich and poor in every state and society, it has evolved a most effective system of circulation of wealth in order to considerably reduce this difference and its negative consequences i.e. hatred, vengeance and criminal activities.

Islam encourages individuals to take active part in business enterprise and so become active participants of and contributors to market mechanism: “And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is a reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is a reward for what they have earned…” (4:32).The right to earn also upholds the right to own but both these rights have to be exercised without infringing upon or depriving others of what is rightfully theirs. Therefore all earnings should be obtained honestly; wealth and property attained by cheating, committing fraud and by dishonesty are an open violation of the norms of Islam.

Islam recognises and acknowledges man’s instinctive need to own and possess. Man is attached to his possessions as it often takes years of his effort to acquire the same. He who steals not only deprives the victim of what is rightfully his but also mocks the effort which went into acquiring it. Therefore, stealing entails a severe and exemplary corporal punishment.

Riba literally means ‘increase’. In Shariah, it is an addition over and above the principal amount i.e. paying money for the use of money. The Holy Quran expressly prohibits riba. “And that which you give in gift (to others), in order that it may increase (your wealth by expecting to get a better one in return) from other people’s property has no increase with Allah…” (30:39).

Generally, individuals gain wealth by two methods: earning, in which case their personal capacity and expertise may determine the amount they shall acquire, and inheritance, in which case the Islamic law of inheritance has predetermined the share of close kin. Inheritance also falls within the ambit of circulation of wealth which unlike the common law right of primogeniture logically supports the need to distribute the property of the deceased among all rather than just the first born.

Circulation of wealth has been made achievable by a most comprehensive system of social security in Islam. This system aims to fulfil the basic needs of all individuals who are unable to do so by themselves. It endeavours to provide for every possible need.

According to Islamic injunctions, philanthropy is of two main kinds: obligatory and voluntary. Obligatory philanthropy consists of Zakat and Zakat-ul-Fitr or Fitrana; whereas voluntary philanthropy includes Sadaqah and Wakf. Zakat, a principal component of social security, is a portion of wealth which a Muslim is obliged to give to a predetermined category of beneficiaries, if the value of his assets is above a specified limit. The Holy Quran says: “And perform As Salat, and give Zakat and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) that you may receive mercy (from Allah).” (24:56)

It is the state’s responsibility to collect Zakat and distribute it among the needy. Its obligatory nature can be gauged from the fact that non-payment of the same amounts to waging war against the state. Although Zakat is collected only from the Muslim subjects, non-Muslims also have the right to get support from the state treasury if they legitimately need it.