Zakat (Alms) will help restore economic justice

Economic inequity continues to widen in America and it’s hurting the underprivileged the most. Our obsession with capitalism and consumerism keeps financially gratifying the rich at the cost of indebting the poor. Money is largely monopolized by banks where interest not only destroys credit scores but hard-working families.

We have to do better, before it gets worse. Debts desperately need to be removed even forgiven as charity. Interest must be replaced with a lending model of collective gain and loss. Hoarding excessive amounts of money without investing it should be penalized. Such funds could be redistributed to alleviate the poor. Believe it or not, this is the system of Zakat that Islam prescribed 1400 years ago. Today, Economist Thomas Piketty and Politician Elizabeth Warren agree that this approach is the only way out of our current mess. They call it marginalized wealth tax, but Muslims have called it Zakat since the 7th century.

Islam visualizes a liberal economic model that permits collaborative building of wealth, but also gives a mechanism for redistributing surplus to the underprivileged through Zakat. It’s the equalizing antithesis to the greed of interest.

As the Holy Qur’an reveals:

“Whatever you pay as interest that it may increase the wealth of the people, it does not increase in the sight of Allah; but whatever you give in Zakat seeking the favors of Allah — it is these who will increase their wealth manifold” (30:40).

Zakat would reduce the current level of inequality and reconcile capital and labor. It turns out Islamic civilization still has a lot to offer in economic prosperity and financial ethics.

Reach out for further questions at the contact:

Muhammad Ahmad, Director Outreach, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Michigan

248-677-1316 |Muhammad.Ahmad@Ahmadiyya.us | www.TrueIslam.com

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.

The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and re-institute morality, justice, and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.