Zakat and Realizing Social Justice

Devin Halim Wijaya9 June 2025

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Nowadays social and economic inequality is still a problem everywhere even in countries with a majority of Muslims. A growing number of people hold the majority of the wealth while millions of people live in poverty. The result of this imbalance may be social unrest and structural tension. Islam does not keep quiet about such injustice because it is a holistic way of life. Zakat is one of the core remedies provided by Islam. Zakat is much more than a charitable deed it is a planned system of wealth redistribution based on fairness empathy and group accountability. Social justice is realistic and enforceable in Islamic teachings it is neither idealistic nor abstract. Through the connection of personal accountability and collective well-being zakat creates a bridge between the rich and the poor. It is a social mechanism and a spiritual duty that aims to uphold dignity lessen poverty and establish an equitable society.

The Islamic Definition of Zakat

One of the most important factors in creating a fair and compassionate society is zakat the third pillar of Islam. Linguistically the word zakat comes from the Arabic root zaka زكى which signifies blessing purification and growth. In practice, zakat is the obligatory distribution of a set percentage (usually 2.5 percent) of ones wealth to qualified recipients each year as long as the wealth reaches a specific threshold (nisab) and is retained for a full lunar year (haul).

In Islam, wealth is a trust from Allah ﷻthat must be used justly and prudently not a personal right to hoard. Zakat develops empathy and generosity while purifying the soul from greed. It ensures that wealth is distributed among all societal segments and serves as a potent equalizer in society. This is in line with the larger Islamic goal of maqasid al-shariah which is the defense of religion, life, intellect, descent and wealth.

Also read: Fiqh of Zakat Profession and Calculation Procedure

Zakat is One Pillar of Social Justice

As the Quran makes clear zakat is a straightforward way to achieve economic justice. Surah At-Taubah verse 60 which lists eight types of zakat recipients is one of the most important verses pertaining to zakat:

إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلۡعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيۡهَا وَٱلۡمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلۡغَـٰرِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۖ فَرِيضَةٗ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٞ

“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah ﷻand for the stranded traveler—an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah ﷻis Knowing and Wise.” (Qur’an, 9:60)

This verse highlights the complexity of zakat. It tackles more than just material poverty it also backs initiatives like debt forgiveness, emancipation from slavery and outreach to Muslims. No part of society is left behind because the system is set up to empower communities and uplift individuals. Thus zakat is a transformative tool rather than merely a short-term relief measure. When properly administered it can convert recipients (mustahik) into future payers (muzakki) thereby sustaining a cycle of social balance and prosperity.

Also read: How to Calculate and How to Pay Zakat on Gold as Investment?

Zakat and the Justice Movement

The fight against injustice is seen by Muslims as an extension of the prophetic mission. Zakat is therefore a nonviolent way to oppose systemic injustice and oppression. The Quran reflects the message of wealth equalisation as evidenced by Surah Al-Hasyr verse 7:

مَا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَىٰ فَلِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ كَيْ لَا يَكُونَ دُولَةً بَيْنَ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ مِنْكُمْ ۚ وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

And what Allāh restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns – it is for Allāh and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the needy and the [stranded] traveler – so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is severe in penalty. (Qur’an, 59:7)

The moral imperative of the verse resonates in the field of social justice even though it primarily discusses the fa’i, the war spoils. In this context zakat turns into a kind of economic jihad redistributing wealth where it is most needed in order to combat inequality peacefully and establish a society based on divine principles.

Also read: Zakat: Is It Better to Distribute It Yourself or Through an Organization?

Difficulties and the Future

The zakat implementation still has a lot of obstacles to overcome despite its enormous potential. Zakat distribution frequently lacks structure and awareness of it is still low in many communities. The informal distribution of zakat contributes to inefficiencies and diminishes its wider social impact. A properly run zakat institution on the other hand can strategically use these money to invest in education, healthcare and skill development turning charity into empowerment. Governments, zakat institutions and individuals must work together to achieve the full potential of zakat.

Early education on the value of zakat should be incorporated into daily life. Furthermore technology and digital platforms ought to be used to enhance accountability transparency and zakat collection. Zakat has the potential to significantly contribute to the creation of a more equitable and inclusive society by fusing spiritual principles with contemporary frameworks. In the end zakat can change the way Muslim communities are organized—from being passive recipients to being active contributors from economic inequality to equity and from division to unity. Enshrined in revelation and implemented through action this is not just idealism it is the Islamic model for justice. Let’s pay our zakat to enrich our society.

Also read: Finish Poverty with Zakat: How to do it?