Zakah: A Comprehensive and Effective Redistribution Strategy for an Economy Ensuring Poverty Alleviation and Distributive Justice

Abstract

Zakah ( الزكاة ) which is the third of the five basic pillars of Islam is considered as an integral part of an Islamic social welfare system since it ensures the rights of poor and needy in the wealth of the rich and as such acts as a tool for distribution of wealth in eradicating poverty in society. This study discusses the potentials of zakah in distributing economic justice and alleviation of poverty. Keeping this objective in view, the study attempts to discuss: a) the concept of redistributive justice from conventional as well as Islamic economics point of view, b) the well-known schools of thought in political philosophy of redistributing income, and c) the salient features of the Islamic strategy for the realisation of the desired pattern of distribution. Zakah is designed to eliminate poverty – both in the short- and long-term basis. Besides, being a collection of redistributive measures it has great scope to play an important role in distributing justice in an economy.