205. Zakath - in the way of Allah.
Eventhough the phrase ‘in the way of Allah’ specifies all the charitable and welfare activities, at times, it would only specify jihad i.e., fighting holy wars. Here we should not interpret as ‘all the charitable and welfare activities’.
There are two reasons for this: when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was specifying about this phrase ‘for the cause of Allah’ he had interpreted as “those who are fighting in the way of Allah”.
(Abu Dawud 1393). This is the first reason.
If the phrase for the cause of Allah found in this verse should mean all the charitable and welfare activities Allah would have used only that phrase for the cause of Allah, instead of mentioning eight categories of people who were eligible to receive Zakath, since Allah has used the phrase ‘for the cause of Allah’ only. That would certainly include all those seven categories, apart from specifying the holy war also.
Since providing all the Zakath for all the remaining seven categories (of people who are eligible for Zakath) is also ‘a way of Allah’. Hence in this phrase we should interpret only as those who take part in jihad (Holy war).
During the life time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) no salaries were paid for those who took part in the battles. Hence, Islam has directed that Zakath-fund will be distributed for them (those who take part in holy wars) also.
Zakath-fund will not be distributed for those who take part in religious activities, for the publication of books and for the construction of mosques etc.
Of course, even-though those activities were also carried out for the cause of Allah only, these activities would not come under ‘for the cause of Allah’ that which has been mentioned in this verse 9:60.
205. Zakath - in the way of Allah.
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