Role of zakat in promoting social cohesion

Abstract

Social cohesion is defined as the capacity of a society to ensure the welfare of all its members, minimizing disparities and avoiding polarization. (Judith Maxwell 1996). It is clear that there are in all societies’ disparities of wealth between richer and poorer people, when these disparities are excessive or tending to increase, social cohesion is put at risk. Again, no society is without ethnic and cultural diversity; the question is how Zakat can play a role in managing diversity so that it becomes a source of mutual enrichment rather than a factor of division and conflict. Zakat is one of the foundations of the Islamic economy based on social welfare and fair distribution of wealth to the poor (Ali and Hatta, 2014). There are eight prescribed categories of beneficiaries or recipients of Zakat, among them “Al- Muallafat al- Qulubuhum” which means “those whose hearts are won over” or “those hearts that need softening”. Thus Zakat can also be given to all needy citizens to win and soften their hearts, even if they are non-Muslims to enhance the social cohesion of the nation as a reconciliation of hearts. This research paper intends to examine the effectiveness of Zakat distribution among all needy citizens, regardless of their religion, language, and race, as a mechanism to enhance social cohesion. The work starts by defining the concept of social cohesion, its importance, and its components. It also goes on to discuss the concept of Zakat and its effectiveness in mitigating the threats of social cohesion. Using qualitative, inductive, and descriptive research methodologies, the author reviews several works and fatwas that have discussed the legal issues related to the distribution of Zakat funds to non- Muslim to reconcile their hearts. The findings show that the scholars in the field of interpretation had interpreted the Mualafathul Qulubuhum to be a new Muslim as well as non-Muslim. Thus we recommend its use to enhance and promote social cohesion among multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious societies.